The RS800 fleet assembled at Porthpean Sailing Club for their national championships. The first day’s racing showed the strength in depth which has developed in the fleet recently.
Race 1 set off after the wind settled in a gusty force 3-4, with a port biased line. The breeze favoured the left hand side, and Spod Olive & Guy Filmore, fresh back from a year in Auckland, were fastest out of the blocks and lead round the windward mark. Tom Halhead & Christian Humphrey were close behind, while some of the other main contenders ended up in less breeze out right. The 3 lap race continued with the fleet spreading out in a slightly building breeze. By the finish Halhead/Humphrey held their lead from Olive/Filmore, with the chasing pack at the finish including Ian Martin & Adam Broughton (Kingfisher Yacht Ropes), Neil Baker & James Hughes and Alastair & Penny Shires (Contender Sailcloth).
Race 2 saw the fleet heading for the left hand side again, but this time Aaron Barden & Rob Hopper took the lead round the windward mark, chased hard by Laurie-Fitzjohn Sykes & Dan Allin, Brett Elway & Jay Bick (Ronstan) and Charlie Roome & Steve Hall (PwC).
Barden/Hopper held their lead until the final beat, where Roome/Hall overhauled them as the fleet split across the course. By the finish Roome/Hall just held their lead from the fast finishing Baker/Hughes, and Ben McGrane & Olivier Vidal (Selden) claimed 3rd.
Tonight sees the Commodore’s Reception at Porthpean SC, with slightly lighter breezes expected for a further two races tomorrow. Racing continues until Friday, when the last of the 12 races are due to be completed.
Results after Day 1: (2 races)
1. Neil Baker & James Hughes, 5 points
2. Charlie Roome & Steve Hall, 7 points
3. Spod Olive & Guy Filmore, 7 points
4. Ian Martin & Adam Broughton, 11 points
5. Ben McGrane & Olivier Vidal, 12 points
6. Tom Halhead & Christian Humphrey, 15 points
