Gul Scorpion National Championship at Tenby Sailing Club - Day 4

Race 6

The fleet woke to a light and sunny morning, and after a glance at the forecast for a chance of 20 knots coming through, the fleet diligently packed their thermals and spray tops. After reaching the committee boat the fleet were treated to an hour long postponement and a social blast about in the building waves. After the race officer was happy that the wind was going to stop shifting around the fleet got away in the champagne conditions of blue skies and a solid force 4.

The tide was ripping through the line when the gun fired one of the only boats to compensate for this was Barry and Catherine 2043 who had a great start and took a super 4th place. By the time the fleet caught up it was mixed up at the top with John Turner & Katie Frost 2001 ringing the bell and rounding the windward mark first, with Chris Yates & Dave Barker 1959 popping their kite just before Pete Crowther & David Thompson 2031.

Feeling like the bees knees the 1959 Lardy boys high-fived and congratulated each other on a cracking beat, unfortunately going low on the reach with 2001 turned out to be a tactical error as the breeze started to strengthen and they got rolled by Tall Pete & David 2031 and Andy Mckee & Stevie G 2042. The Lardy boys were still cock-a-hoop however and settled for their best result so far in 9th.

Gul Scorpion Nationals at Tenby day 4 - photo © Scorpion Class

Andy & Stevie 2042 continued their muckle charge and blasted to the front of the fleet to take their second bullet of the nationals. With Pete and Taxi 2039 surfing down the building waves into second place. While the fleet celebrated Tall Pete and David 2031 cruising in with a brilliant 3rd place.

Race 7

Alan Krailing & Simon Forbes 2034 fired off on their port hand flyer, crossing the fleet like a robbers dog, they worked the beat and rounded in first around the mark, followed closely by Pete Gray & Taxi 2039, they were so far ahead and the conditions were getting so tricky to deal with; all anyone knows is; this is the order these two completed their race... and thats only because its written on the results sheet.

The rest of the fleet took their time getting around the course with freak gust capsizing a few boats to windward on the beat. Navigating through the carnage Pete & John Rose managed to grab 3rd with Andy & Stevie G 2042 recovering from their capsize to take 4th place.

Gul Scorpion Nationals at Tenby day 4 - photo © Scorpion Class

Janet & Alan Ritchie 2005 had a great day, leading the lady helm trophy with a 8 point lead. While Rachael Rhodes & Hannah Edge 2023 still lead the silver fleet by a few points. John & Nichola Willars of Notts County 2017 are still leading bronze fleet.

Needless to say the dinghy park was pretty quiet tonight, as the promised 18 - 20 knots came through and the Scorpions all looked forward to their night off and watching the Tenby Lifeboat practise launch.

Results after 9 Races: