Gul B14 UK National Championships at Porthpean Sailing Club – Day 2

With 35 knots forecast, the fleet launched with a little apprehension today but were rewarded with fantastic downwind rides in 15-25 knots and long, spread out waves that make Porthpean such a great place to sail.

There was drama pre-start as Mark Barnes/Charlotte Jones misjudged a cross on the way to the start and snapped their bowsprit on another boat to the sounds of "ooooh" from the spectators in the clubhouse. A lot of very helpful club members ran a Formula 1 speed pit-stop bowsprit change so that Barnes/Jones were able to make the 2nd and final race of the day.

Both races were won by Nick Craig/Tobytastic Lewis but they were pushed hard by Alan Davis/Richie Bell in race 1 and Mark Watts/Chris Bishop, until wing failure put them out the running.

With an increasing wind, Davis/Bell sailed a conservative 2nd race to score a pair of 2nds and move up to 3rd overall. Barnes/Jones were running 2nd in the 2nd race but a huge gust on rounding the leeward mark tipped them in to finish 5th.

Lightweights Peter Knight/Jane Reeves sailed skillfully all day keeping the mast above the water to score an impressive 4 & 3. Kathy Sherratt/Dec Clamp survived Barnsie's earlier close attention to score 3 and 8 (Declan "professional rigger" really needs to learn to tie knots as head down in the boat in 20+knots downwind was only going to end in disaster!) and move up to 5th overall.

Special to mention to the rest of the fleet that ventured out with many teams returning to the beach grinning from ear to ear.

A great day's sailing. With the AGM, BBQ and games night now it is an action packed nationals both sailing and socially. There are 8 points between the top 3 and 3 races scheduled tomorrow so some more close, great racing is expected.

Results after Day 2: