Gul RS200 National Champs, Day 2

RS200 Weymouth Bay was on much better form for day 2 of the Gul RS200 Nationals. The wind was still from the north but with more clouds there was no sea breeze to fight. The wind was around force 3-4 from the northeast for the first race but there still proved to be monster holes on the first beat and run. Simon Gillow/Tracey Hill led at the first mark but struggled to get into the planning patchs of wind. Colin Staite and Katie held the lead for short period but Martyn Jones/Ben Wright had a storming second beat to just lead from David Giles/Fiona Clark. The leading two boats pulled well clear and regularly swapped positions. Giles had things under control by the last run of a 4-lap course to win from Jones, with Dave and Nikky Derby pulling through well to 3rd with the fast finishing Ian Pickard/Laurie Dunn 4th. Rachael and Mike Wigmore showed the fleet that yesterday was no flash in the pan with another good 5th. A significant wind shift on the first attempted gate start proved to be a blessing, although the fleet had to wait for the wind to settle as it swung due north when the race did get underway the breeze had built to a force 4-5 and much more consistent in direction. This was to prove fantastic conditions for the 200�s and the fleet really revelled in the downwind conditions. Giles and Clark again led but were being pressed very hard by Tom and Jo Hewitson who regularly crossed them at some stage on almost every leg without leading at a mark. With Giles carefully covering the Hewitsons, Steve Dunn/Dottie Cormack managed to close right up on the leaders but at the finish the order was Giles, Hewitson, Dunn with Mike Saul/Sophie Hartley flying down the last run to just pip Pete Vincent/Trudie Danbury for 5th. Giles and Clark have a very impressive scoreline overnight with the very consistent Hewitsons looking equally secure in second with the Wigmores third overall. Other leading 200 sailors had much better days at the office today in the stronger wind and anything can still happen with six more races to go.