Gul Fireball UK National Championship 2023 at Royal Torbay Yacht Club - Day 2

Following the opening day postponement of racing, a welcomed decision by our boat, a fleet of 30 boats hit the race course ready for a rescheduled three races.

Before we did that though we hit the far side of the harbour after a lifting rudder malfunction due to lack of use, not a great start to the day with the tourists above us on the harbour wall bemused by what we were trying to achieve. We got that sorted and headed towards the start line in what felt like the top end of the forecasted wind for the day 25-30mph. That didn't go without incident with a quick capsize, things weren't looking good by the time we got it up we were both knackered and we hadn't even managed to travel in a straight line to the starting area without incident. The obligatory spinny hoist drill also highlighted another rigging faux pas, we thought we'd found all of them before we launched, so that was quickly corrected and we were ready to go.

The first race got under way with no danger of recall, we were shut out at the committee boat with a heavy bias towards that end, so not a great start but we were away and actually felt pretty quick upwind and rounded the windward mark in about 10th spot. Meanwhile at the front DJ and Vvy, sailing together in a Uk nationals for the first time since 2004, led at the first mark and after an early challenge from Dave and Paul and they pulled out a decent lead which they held until the end winning out from Dave and then Tom. We had a relatively uneventful race, in the middle somewhere, despite the wind which did seem to moderate slightly towards the end. The 2nd reach of the triangle was always a challenge and on the last lap we had to drop the kite to get into the line- a snagged halyard and we got rolled by Georgia and Fresh into the line after battling with them most of the way round.

By race 2 the wind had definitely eased, up the first beat a close call between Arron/Will and DJ/Vyv pushed the veterans to the left side of the beat and into a header that they tacked on and cashed in on a lift all the way into the windward mark and comfortable lead which they held all the way to the finish followed by Dave/Paul and in third Arron/Will.

For us a better start but a shocker of a first beat followed by a near capsize at the windward mark but we managed to settle down and work forward from there annoyingly getting rolled by Deano and Richard into the finish again.

In the break before race 3 it breezed up again and for Dad and I it felt like a better race, with a good middle beat where I thought we made about 3 places, but the end result was still pretty similar as is the way, it was noted there was great racing all the way through the fleet. After a great start Arron/Will led at the windward mark from Vyv/ DJ who took advantage of their counterparts pole coming off the mast on the 2nd reach as they managed to sneak inside the leeward mark and into the lead again. This time Tom and Shandy mounted a challenge and went on to a convincing win after going hard left on the last beat and getting the benefit of a 15 degree lefty into the windward mark.

The stage in now set for an absolute battle of the bay over the next two days. Interestingly DJ and Vyv have never lost a contested National Championship and as we all know Tom is four time national and five time world champion and he be Andy have won every championship they have contested. This one could go to the wire.

Results after Day 2: