Stormforce Coaching SB20 UK Nationals at Royal Torbay Yacht Club - Day 2

SB20 UK Nationals at Torbay day 2 © VR Sport Media

SB20 UK Nationals at Torbay day 2 © VR Sport Media

Sunday 2nd of October proved a frustrating day for the Race Team and competitors at the SB20 National Championships. The wind was forecast to swing through 180 degrees from North to South with wind strength predicted of 4 knots gusting 3. Race Officer Rob Llewellyn kept the competitors ashore until the wind shift came in but after starting Race 4 in a 6-7 knot breeze, the race turned into a lottery on the first run with leader, James Peters in Uber being overtaken on both sides and so the race was abandoned. With the breeze non-existent, competitors went ashore for 90 minutes until the breeze established from the South and racing commenced.

Race 4 started in 6-8 knots of breeze and Chris Clyburn in Wet n Dry sailed out into an early lead from Rob Gullan in 3047. On the first run Chris led to the port leeward mark with Rob gaining the lead by choosing the starboard mark. Rob then protected the right to maintain his lead to the finish followed home by Wet n Dry, Joe Llewellyn in Forelle Estates and James Peters' Uber.

Race 5 was started quickly after Race 4 and James Peters in Uber started mid line but took the opportunity to tack onto port to cross the fleet. John Pollard in Xcellent decided to tack under Uber but on top of Paul Hine's Poor Buoy leaving a lane clear for Uber to get over to the right and sail into the lead. On the second lap, Uber consolidated her lead by protecting the right of the beat to win from Xcellent, Wet n Dry and Poor Buoy.

SB20 UK Nationals at Torbay day 2 - photo © VR Sport Media

Race 6 was started after 5.00pm and Rob Gullan in 3045 started close to the Committee Boat and quickly tacked off to the right. James Peters in Uber chose the left of the course and at one point the two leaders were on opposite sides of the course. The header that Rob had been waiting for came in to allow him to lead into the windward mark from John Pollard in Xcellent. On the second lap Rob Gullan covered the fleet to protect his lead. Paul Hine's Poor Buoy had an excellent second beat to move into second place which they retained to the finish. Third was Xcellent followed by Uber.

This leaves the Championship nicely poised with James Peters leading Rob Gullan by 4 points and currently discarding a fourth position. Many thanks are due to Rob Llewellyn and his race team for successfully getting three races completed on such a difficult day.

Results after Day 2: