Dinghyshack / Pinnell & Bax Graduate Nationals at Northampton Sailing Club - Day 1

After a day of sunbathing, tweaking rig setups, and getting some last minute practice in on the Friday training day, the Grad fleet awoke to a swinging 3-5 knots of breeze on Saturday morning.

With 4 races scheduled for the day, Race Officer Isaac Marsh held a short snappy briefing, and we hit the water!

After a short postponement to wait for the wind to settle and build to 6-9 knots(ish), the Phantom fleet got away for their start, and the Grads were next up.

Graduate Nationals Day 1 - photo © Carolyn Lewis

Leading the first nationals race of 2023 was Brynster Abendstern & Emma Hull of Toddbrook SC. The pair got into the groove right from the off, tacking out from the committee boat end and never looking back, showing the fleet a clean pair of heels. John Clementson & Guy Marks came home 2nd, and Fresh Abendstern & Ross Southwell rounded out the top 3.

In the second race, we had a different leader, with Fresh & Ross making a strong start from the committee boat, and leading from start to finish. Once again, John & Guy slotted into 2nd place, with the Bassenthwaite boat of Chris & Chloe Parker taking the 3rd step of the podium.

Next up was lunch, and we were treated to sarnies, chips, sossy rolls, pasties... clearly the caterers hadn't got the light wind memo!

Graduate Nationals Day 1 - photo © Carolyn Lewis

Back out onto the water and race 3 was a pin end favoured line, Brynster & Emma, and Fresh & Ross both came off the pin hot, and when they tacked on the header it was Brynster who came out on top. On lap 2, Fresh & Ross managed to reel in Brynster & Emma, passing them at the windward mark, only for Brynster to retake the lead down the run. With a shortened course sound signal, it was a desperate tacking duel between the pair, with Brynster & Emma sneaking their second race win of the championships, Fresh & Ross 2nd, and Bob & Maggie Murrell 3rd place in their new Butler Grad.

The final race of the day was a tricky one, John & Guy picking out the shifts on the first beat to round first, followed by Chris & Chloe, and Ric Lewis & Sandra Jordan.

Sailing down the run, Fresh & Ross found a special gust that was just for them, and sailed their way into 2nd place, while Brynster & Emma and Bob & Maggie also joined the party.

Up the next beat, Brynster & Emma and Bob & Maggie picked their way through to get 3rd & 4th place respectively, and these positions held for the next lap, despite some "interesting" shifts.

Graduate Nationals Day 1 - photo © Carolyn Lewis

Throughout the fleet there were some good healthy battles going on, special shout outs to Jo Hill, who was promoted from trolley dolly to supersub crew, Meg Adams who is currently first lady helm, and Rodger Pass & Sally Harris who are sailing in their first Grad Nationals!

Once back on land, points were totted up, post race beers were sunk (courtesy of Fresh & Marsh), and we held our AGM in the clubhouse, before sitting down for a delicious dinner cooked by the club caterers #CrimbleCrumble!

We held the infamous Graduate Raffle, with the Phantoms joining in the fun, before cracking on with some spot prizes kindly donated by Saturday sponsor DinghyShack. Many thanks to DinghyShack for supporting the class, and if you need any chandlery or clothing, definitely have a look on these guys' website!

We're currently sat propping the bar up, and with 2 races to go (plus the Champagne Race) and the top 3 all on equal points, it's anyone's game going into Sunday's racing...

Results after Day 1: