Miracle National Championship at Bala Sailing Club - Day 3

Tuesday greeted the fleet with a building wind and clouds over the mountains threatening rain. Richard Brameld said it always rained on his birthday! It did, but he also won Race 5 (crewed by Todd) by the narrowest of margins, just ahead of Graham Wattts/Helen Jacks and David and Rebecca Southwell. It was very close but still a brilliant birthday present. The Mifsuds had been out in the lead when gear failure on the clew outhaul put them back to midfleet eventually pulling through to 7th after a hasty repair.

Miracle Nationals at Bala day 3 - photo © John Hunter

The previous race (Race 4) had some tricky conditions, a few holes to fall into plus some good spinnaker reaches in the gusts. The port side of the course seemed to be paying the dividends. It was Louis Moulden's/ Luke Tonges turn to miss the gate and be awarded today's wooden spoon. Our birthday boy came 3rd. Peter Mifsud/Ross Southwell also in a borrowed boat have been steadily improving scoring a 9th and 11th. Wil and Wendy Hitchman using a Bala Club boat have been burning the midnight oil to bring it up to speck. This weeks modifications include a new boom, centre main and inboard sheeting using parts borrowed from othe boats!. Better results beckon!

Miracle Nationals at Bala day 3 - photo © John Hunter

The final Youth and Juniors race saw more competitors on the water and slightly less wind. Guillia Neuteboom, crewed by dad Marcel, continued the Dutch tradition of going swimming in any Welsh Lake or sea they compete in!! It was good to see a successful format for this event with good numbers competing. Congratulations to Andrew and Michela Mifsud first Youth and Leah Murphy/Cathy Goodwin first Junior.

Results after Day 3: