The second day of the RS200 Noble Marine Nationals hosted by SCYC delivered classic “Cape Town” conditions, as one seasoned South African sailor observed “it is sunny and windy just like Cape Town”. Who would have thought we were in North Wales! With the remnants from Storm Floris still making their presence felt, a robust morning breeze saw race officials record gusts as high as 35 knots. After a brief hour-long delay, the fleet launched at 1 PM, only for the committee to swiftly call everyone ashore for safety as the winds proved too lively for racing.
This unexpected pause gave competitors a chance to enjoy the beach, swapping hiking straps for cricket bats and making the most of some relaxed early afternoon beach games on the sand. Abersoch beach became the Abersoch Oval with Alex Smallwood doing some fantastic spin bowling in his lovely Duckham’s dress. Spirits remained high as the fleet waited for conditions to settle. At 2:30pm, the fleet relaunched, greeted now by a steadier, but still punchy, 18–25 knots. A lively downwind run took the fleet to the start for Race 2 of the championships on a big course in glamour conditions.
Special thanks go to James Morson and Fiona Harrington, who performed superbly as today’s gate boat, helping the fleet get underway quickly for a taxing first beat that seem to stretch forever. Overnight leaders Thomas Goodey and Richard Thomas started earlyish out the gate with Tommy and Charlie Darling next up. But it was Jonny McGovern crewed by last year’s National Champion helm, Ben Whaley, in the lead at mark 1; Ian Martin and Emma Hivey in 2nd; Thomas and Richard 3rd.
The downwind leg saw the top boats stretch even further away and by the second windward Jonny and Ben still held the lead but Ian and Emma seem to hold better pressure down the final run to lead at the gate and take the win. Jonny and Ben tried to shake Tommy and Charlie off their tail but the lightweights got the break and secured another second which makes them overnight leaders.
Leading the silver fleet and finishing an impressive 21st overall were Eve Kennedy and Ellie Rush, while Joseph Tubb and Amelie Curtis claimed the top spot in bronze.
Results after two races:
1st– Tommy & Charlie Darling 4 pts
2nd– Thomas Goodey & Richard Thomas 6 pts
3rd – Brendan Lynch & Ellen Clark 8 pts
4th – Jonny McGovern & Ben Whaley 10 pts
5th – Ollie Evans & Zoe Nieveen 12 pts
6th – Jamie Harris & Ellen Main 13 pts
7th – Henry Hallam & Ahley Hill 13 pts
8th – Tom Ahlheid & Bee Nee 18 pts
9th – Iam Martin & Emma Hivey 20 pts
10th – James & Jess Hammett 23 pts
Report by Cameron Harris & Debbie Jarvis
Photos by Outwest
