Noble Marine UK Musto Skiff National Championships at Sunderland Yacht Club - Day 2

Dan Trotter on day 2 of the Noble Marine UK Musto Skiff National Championships at Sunderland © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

Launching on day 2 of the Noble Marine UK Musto Skiff National Championships at Sunderland © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

With no wind to start the day, the fleet had a Northern welcome to the second day of the Noble Marine UK Musto Skiff National Championships at Sunderland. Grey drizzle with great bacon sandwiches, coffee, and plenty of cheer to pass the time.

Race 4

After a 2-hour postponement, the clouds lifted and a 6-9 knot wind filled in. Race 4 was a Northern domination with Stuart Keegan showing the fleet around the course followed by Dan Trotter and Robbie Richardson.

Race 5

Race 5 got away cleanly in almost flat wiring conditions off the start. Dan Trotter showed up first at the pin end with Jono Shelley managing to carve out a lane above him.

Start line on day 2 of the Noble Marine UK Musto Skiff National Championships at Sunderland - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

The first cross was tight and Trotter had to duck with Shelley heading further in shore. At the windward mark, Shelley held a lead after finding his afterburners up wind. Stu Keegan came in well from the right to give another all Northern top 3.

As the race went on, Shelley stretched on the beat and Trotter closed downwind, but Shelley held on for first, followed by Trotter and Sam Pascoe, who sailed very well to slip into 3rd place ahead of Keegan and a fast charging Hilton.

Race 6

By race 6, it was becoming more obvious to get left for more wind and less tide. Dan Trotter launched out the pin with Ryan Seaton, and then Jamie Hilton won the middle of the line. Peter Greenhalgh snuck out a quarter of the way up from the pin with his best start of the regatta. He couldn't match Dan's pace, but hung in on the first beat. A 3-lap race with tide against upwind became quite a long race. Greenhaulgh slowly chipped away at Dan's lead with a little help from him trying to catch a lobster.

On the second downwind, Greenhalgh was able to catch Trotter and lead him around the leeward mark where his upwind pace / mode was good enough to keep him behind Greenhalgh to the finish. Hats off to Dan Trotter for sailing extremely well today and showing that the big guys can be competitive in the lighter winds when they do it properly!

Racing on day 2 of the Noble Marine UK Musto Skiff National Championships at Sunderland - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

Back ashore the fleet were treated to Danny's magic bottomless beer barrel for an after sailing social in the boat park outside, which started the evening off nicely.

With six races down, the PRO team are doing a great job and at the half way point, it's all to play for!

After day 2, Dan Trotter is leading, with Jono Shelley in second place, and Sam Pascoe in third.

Results after Day 2: