After the wind and waves of Day 3, the sailors (and their tired limbs) were delighted to be greeted by a gentle Northerly breeze and sunshine. However, with the wind off the land, it was going to be shifty, which would reward those that kept their head out of the boat.
Race 1 saw a clear advantage to those that went left, with an enormous lift to the windward mark. That saw Leighton King first round, followed by Andy Jones and David Smart. Jaye Rickards was approaching in fourth but tried to tack into a non-existent gap and took some gelcoat off the side of Huw Powell’s boat. Oops! Nigel Wakefield came through on the run and on the next beat it was a closely fought battle tending to favour the boat on the left. However a port/starboard incident after a communication breakdown between the Chew boats of Jones and Smart led to a 360 for Smart who was then re-energised. At the finish Wakefield won followed by Smart ahead of Jones and King.
With the left having paid handsomely in Race 1, a number of boats tried to replicate the left is best approach. This included Clive Eplett who took the pin end – literally – by hitting it! He did his turn and ducked the fleet on port, only to delightedly discover that right was the way to go this time. He and Mark Harrison rounded first and second never to be challenged, with Alex Davies third and Steve Main fourth.
The fleet returned to the beach to find the welcome sight of trolleys waiting in order and a pasty to help the boat packing in the sunshine. Mounts Bay is probably the most picturesque Sailing Club in the country and also the most friendly. The fleet thanks Mounts Bay SC for putting on such a wonderful championship and especially the PRO Marcus Wilkinson for delivering 9 cracking races.
Congratulations to Nigel Wakefield from Netley SC on becoming the RS100 2025 National Champion. He demonstrated great consistency in all conditions.
Second was Andy Jones from Chew Valley Lake SC followed by the strong wind specialist Huw Powell of Red Wharf/Netley who revelled in the Saturday conditions.
Silver fleet was won by Alex Davies (Netley) and the Ladies prize was taken by Maggie Ayre (Chew Valley Lake).
The next event on the National Tour is the Inland Championships at Chew Valley Lake SC on 8/9 November.
David Smart
Noble Marine RS100 National Championship Prize Winners 2025
| RS100 National Champion | Nigel Wakefield | Netley & Lymington Town |
| 2nd | Andrew Jones | Chew |
| 3rd | Huw Powell | Red Wharf Bay & Netley |
| 4th | Nils Joliffe | Netley |
| 5th | Alex Davies | Netley |
| 1st Master | Andrew Jones | Chew |
| 1st Female Helm | Maggie Ayres | Chew |
| 1st Silver | Alex Davies | Netley |
| Fidelis | David Smart | Chew |
| Endeavour | Jon Elms | Chew |
Report: David Smart
Photos: Lee Whitehead, Photolounge
Results: https://halsail-1e484.kxcdn.com/Result/Public/92061
