Noble Marine 2022 UK Musto Skiff National Championship at Eastbourne Sovereign Sailing Club - Day 2

Noble Marine UK Musto Skiff Nationals at Eastbourne day 2 © Ben Gosling-Davis

Day 2 of the 2022 Noble Marine UK Musto Skiff Nationals at Eastbourne Sovereign Sailing Club, started with a short postponement due to light winds. As the wind started to increase (ever so slightly), the AP flag came down and everyone got into their wet suits and headed for the shore to launch.

However, just as the sails went up, the wind died again, and the AP flag was up once again up.

After a long wait ashore, as the wind tracked round the compass, the AP flag was finally down, and the fleet eventually launched around 3.30pm into a light 5-6kt SE.

Race 4

After two aborted starts, the fleet got away third time lucky under a black flag in 5kts and a building tide. Left side made sense but those who tacked off early onto the right favoured with a 10-degree shift. Guy Rivington rounded first with Ben Schooling and Rob Richardson in close pursuit.

By the leeward gate, Richardson had put his downwind speed to good use and had a narrow lead over Schooling.

The wind was fading and tide building, so the PRO shortened the course at the windward mark. With the tide pumping, the main pack were swept down towards Beachy Head and had to hoist kites to get to the finish.

At the sharp end Eddie Bridle managed to balance the tide and skilfully found a lane up the left to cross and narrowly take the bullet from Schooling and Richardson.

Steve Robson on Noble Marine UK Musto Skiff Nationals at Eastbourne day 2 - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

With the wind continuing to fade and the tide still building, the remaining races of the day were called off, and everyone headed back ashore for pasties and beer. This was followed by a class dinner and a few beers and G&Ts at the sailing club bar.

With a promising 12-15kt SE forecast for tomorrow, four races are now planned for Day 3 of the Championship. This will be a welcome decision for the Weekend Warriors who will join the Championship for racing on Saturday and Sunday.

Whilst the light winds on Day 2 were challenging for the fleet, it provided the perfect opportunity for club member, Ben Gosling-Davis, to launch his drone and get some cracking overhead shots of the only race of the day.

After Day 2, Sam Pascoe is still holding onto his first place, followed by Bruce Keen in second, and Ian Turnbull now in third.

Noble Marine UK Musto Skiff Nationals at Eastbourne day 2 - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

Results after day 2:

Noble Marine UK Musto Skiff Nationals at Eastbourne day 2 - photo © Ben Gosling-Davis