Volvo Noble Marine RS300 Nationals at Prestwick Sailing Club - Day 2

With a dire forecast for the weekend (well it is Scotland in August) 4 races were scheduled for day 2 of the Volvo Noble Marine RS300 Nationals at Prestwick SC. It was windier than day 1, 15 knots rising to 20 or so as the day progressed. With waves as high as the festival goers at Glastonbury it was going to be a tricky day. Like a midget at a urinal you were going to have to be on your toes for this one.

Race 3 and Richard LeMare, getting edgy as his missus was on her way up, took out a couple of boats on the start line allowing Duncan Jenkins and Matt Sargent to lead the way up the beat. Steve Bolland managed to grind them down however over the next 3 laps and took the lead and the win on the last run. Dave Acres and Tim keen also turned in good results.

Race 4 showed the benefits of proper championship preparation. The last 3 in the bar on Thursday night finished the race 1,2,3 – Bolland, Acres and LeMare in that order.

The wind rose in strength noticeably for race 5. The beats were clearly going to be as painful as taking a woman shopping, but at least they weren't going to take as long. Bolland and Matt Jenkins went left on the opening beat and were 1,2 at the top mark with Matt Sargent just behind. Despite 3 more laps and some epic reaches these positions remained until the finish. Tim Keen put in another good result followed by Paul Rigg showing exceptional boat handling at his first 300 Nationals.

Day 2 of the Volvo Noble Marine RS300 Nationals at Prestwick - photo © Alan Henderson / www.fotoboat.com

By the time the final race of the day started the waves had reached epic proportions and the fleet was looking more nervous than a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Bolland led initially from Sargent but Acres came through to lead by the end of the first lap. Bolland retook the lead on the second and final beat to lead narrowly at the windward mark. Downwind, Bolland binned it near the gybe mark on a quite outrageous wave. Sargent gybed first but Dave's was a beauty, the Audrey Hepburn of gybes that allowed him through to take the win from Sargent, Rigg, Matt Jenkins and Neil Beveridge.

The post-race entertainment was typically Scottish, haggis followed by whisky-tasting and several visits to an amply stocked bar.

Overall, Bolland still leads from Acres and Sargent on 5, 12 and 20 points respectively. As we look out at the race area ahead of day 3 the wind is howling and moaning like the soundtrack to a horror movie. Will we race, time will tell.

You can follow the results for the RS300 Nationals at www.RS300sailing.org where you will also find full information about the boat.

Results after Day 2: