Noble Marine RS500 National Championship at Mount's Bay Sailing Club - Day 3

Noble Marine RS500 Nationals at Mount's Bay Day 3 © Paul Elliott / MBSC

Mount's Bay delivered a dramatic and unforgettable day of RS500 racing, as competitors were met with some of the most testing conditions of the season.

With a solid 20-25 knot breeze, sailors set out from the relative shelter behind St Michaels Mount to be greeted by heaving seas that resembled rolling mountain ranges more than coastal chop. The combination of strong winds and large waves demanded full concentration and skill, making it a day where simply staying upright, and not getting washed off the side of the boat was an achievement in itself.

The race committee managed to run a full schedule, and the sailors were all grateful for the efforts of race and safety teams, as they had a. long, rolling lurching day on the water.

The first race got under way with ah clean start, all teams looking to maximise straight line speed over the huge waves and avoid hitting a breaking wave face-on. Peter and James set down a marker for the day, enjoying the robust conditions to arrive first at the top mark, followed closely behind by Edd and Ian who had also been looking forward to a breezy day. Heather and Tim were close behind in third. Downwind is where it got really interesting. Surfing down steep faces, boats tore downwind at blistering speeds — challenge was to pick a safe place to gybe and still be on lay line for the leeward gate, and this was executed well by the leading pair. By the end of the race a super close finish saw Edd and Ian pipping Peter and James on the last gybe before the finish. Heather and Tim finished third. A close pack followed with leading female helm Emma and Luke just getting the better of Paul and Fresh, with Luke and Will coming in sixth.

Next race, race 6 of the series, saw very similar conditions. This time Edd and Ian were fastest up the first beat, with Tim and Heather close behind. This time a slightly late gybe from Edd/Ian saw them having to heat it up to make the leeward gate, just as a HUGE set of waves came rolling through, resulting in a swim for them and catapulting Tim and Heather into pole position, which they held the finish despite being pressed hard all the way by the charging team of Peter and James.

By race three (7th of the series) tired muscles were starting to tell and a few teams opted to head for an early shower, choccy bar, pastie, cup of tea or anything else comforting and warm! Out on the racecourse, it was rapidly becoming survival and endurance conditions. This time Emma/Luke were really fast off the blocks, leading comfortably the whole first lap and looking super assured in the boat, impressive for the relative newcomers to the class. However the end of the second upwind leg and a bad tack saw them hunted down and overtaken by a chasing pack, led by Edd/Ian and Tim/Heather, who rounded the top mark virtually neck and neck. A different approach to the last downwind leg saw Edd/Ian going hot and fast, with Heather/Tim opting to surf low, gybe early and generally minimise risk. It was a photo finish at the end, with Tim/Heather just surfing down over the line before a Charging Edd/Ian at the other end.

Despite the wild conditions, the fleet showed remarkable resilience, despite being tired and cold, the sailors were unanimous that this was a most epic days' sailing. Mount's Bay served up a proper test, and the RS500 fleet rose to meet it.

The leaderboard now sees Tim and Heather in a comfortable first, but a close battle for silver with one point separating Emma/Luke from the advancing Edd/Ian. A lighter wind day is forecast for tomorrow, and plenty of other close racing battles still to fight out!

Results after Day 3: