Noble Marine Comet Trio Mark 1 National Championship 2026 at Exe Sailing Club - Day 1
by Caroline McAusland 7 Aug 15:41 PDT
7-9 August 2026
Day 1 - Noble Marine Comet Trio Mark 1 National Championship at Exe © Nicky Groucutt
There were 19 entries and the competitors were treated to perfect sailing conditions - a steady breeze, waves and sunshine - what more could you ask for?
Race officer Les Arscott got the fleet away on time - the fleet split with some taking a long tack out to sea whereas others stayed inshore hoping to dodge some of the east going tide. The inshore route paid off as the McAuslands popped around the windward mark first with Chris Biglin in hot pursuit.
Some place changing ensued and Chris & Ben Biglin had the advantage going to windward through the chop and secured first followed by the McAuslands closely followed by Guy Farrant & Graham Sykes.
Race 2 followed with a similar windward leeward course. This time guest helm Mike Upton crewed by Jamie Lee showed us how it was done - he arrived at the windward mark with a good lead but was overtaken on the downwind leg finishing sixth overall. The McAuslands squeaked past the finishing line just ahead of Guy & Graham followed by the Biglins.
An extra race was included due to the light wind forecast on Sunday. Race 3 consisted of windward-leeward/triangle legs. The breeze picked up and it had become quite choppy giving competitors some interesting sailing and marvellous downwind legs.
Mike Upton & Jamie Lee once again showed the way to the windward mark but unfortunately hadn't read the SIs and set off to the wing mark, taking a few other boats with them.
This opened up an opportunity for some place changing - there was a kerfuffle at the gybe mark and the boom outhaul became detached for Mike & Anne Way who eventually retired.
Jamie & Eli in 435 were having their best result and lying fourth when their jib shackle broke and they nearly lost their mast. Chris & Ben Biglin took pole position followed by Andrew & Caroline and then Guy & Graham.
A great day's racing with more to follow.
Results after day 1:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Crew | R1 | R2 | R3 | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | 504 | Chris Biglin | Ben Biglin | 1 | ‑3 | 1 | 2 |
| 2nd | 501 | Andrew | Caroline | ‑2 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 3rd | 509 | Guy Farrant | Graham Sykes | ‑3 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| 4th | 513 | Anne Way | Mike Way | 4 | 4 | (RET) | 8 |
| 5th | 512 | Mike Hart | Jenny Hart | ‑7 | 5 | 4 | 9 |
| 6th | 361 | Alex Fastnedge | William | ‑9 | 7 | 5 | 12 |
| 7th | 369 | Mark Nicholson | Malcolm | 5 | ‑11 | 7 | 12 |
| 8th | 511 | Richard Salis | Carole Williams | ‑11 | 10 | 6 | 16 |
| 9th | 426 | Jamie Lee | Mike Upton | ‑10 | 6 | 10 | 16 |
| 10th | 435 | Jamie Grigor | Eli Baxter | 8 | 8 | (RET) | 16 |
| 11th | 348 | Chris Mayne | Sam Mayne | 6 | 13 | ‑15 | 19 |
| 12th | 502 | Nick Webber | Andy Douglas | ‑16 | 12 | 8 | 20 |
| 13th | 1509 | Peter Owens | Debbie | ‑13 | 9 | 11 | 20 |
| 14th | 514 | Poppy Salis | Jane Higgins | 12 | ‑15 | 9 | 21 |
| 15th | 394 | Simon Gregory | Nick Coombes | ‑15 | 14 | 12 | 26 |
| 16th | 515 | Sue Frost | Karen Wilson | ‑17 | 16 | 13 | 29 |
| 17th | 428 | Ian McKay | Richard | ‑18 | 17 | 14 | 31 |
| 18th | 487 | Symon Doliczny | Lou Doliczny | 14 | (RET) | DNC | 34 |
| 19th | 495 | Patsy David | Tony David | 19 | (DNS) | DNC | 39 |