2011 Day 3

Race 1 started in around 18 knots and with a shift just before the start and the strong tide made getting across the line on starboard tack a difficult process. Those that managed to get away on port tack quickly formed a drag race on the right hand side of the course with five boats racing neck a neck for the top mark. In the end it was Graham and Eddie Bridle that go there first, closely followed by Paul Croote and Maff Kiddle and Dean Ralph and Simon Jones, with another pack of boats close behind. The Bridle team held onto that lead for a second lap, but during the third, always under pressure from behind eventually fell to 3rd, with line honours going to Paul Croote and the 'suddenly on-form' team of Ralph/Jones taking second.

With the wind steadily increasing, race 2 started in 20+ knots of breeze, again the pack was led by Croote, Ralph and Bridle racing at top speed in the flat water, keeping those positions for the first lap. By the time the fleet reached the lee mark, the wind was increasing to 'boat breaking proportions', however with mainsails ragging the second lap started losing Ralph/Jones to a torn mainsail leaving current leaders Paul Croote and Maff Kiddle to race to the finish with current 2nd place Graham and Eddie Bridle. With just the final run to complete, Croote and Kiddle capsized on the gybe, while the Bridle team made it and went on to take the line.

Other notable performances came from the new youngsters in the fleet, the newly built Ellway 5 design sailed by John Hamilton and Digby Still (both aged 17) showed excellent pace as did “Born Slippy” sailed by Andrew Whapshott and Stu Moore (both aged 16) and the 30 year old Flat Stanley sailed by the only all girl crew of Jo Coomber and Beth Barnes (both aged 14) was a fantastic sight performing like new under 3 sails in 25 + knots of breeze.

With rescue boats in heavy employment race 3 was abandoned and rescheduled for Friday, when the forecast looks much kinder.