Noble Marine RS700 National Championship at Castle Cove Sailing Club - Day 2

Noble Marine RS700 National Championship - Day 2 © Richard Bowers

With three races planned and 25 knots forecast later in the day the race committee wisely decided to stay in Portland Harbour for Day Two.

Race One started with a slight bias to the committee boat end. Theo Galyer thundered away up the beat in 18+ knots chased hard by Matt Carter and Rob Higgins, followed by Matt Conner. Downwind Theo stretched his lead and Matt Carter just stayed ahead of Rob having had a dodgy drop and nearly tipping in. Positions remained the same up the beat and downwind on the second lap. Theo stormed down the last downwind to finish first. Matt Carter and Rob bore away around the top mark with two boat lengths between them. Rob pushed hard to get ahead gybing earlier but slightly too early and ended up having to soak which allowed Matt Carter to stay ahead and go through the gate first and cross the line just ahead.

Noble Marine RS700 National Championship - Day 2 - photo © Richard Bowers

Race Two saw a steady increase in the wind and the race committee got the fleet away fairly quickly. Rich Wadsworth and Matt Conner got great starts and pushed Theo hard. Rob Higgins found some great speed to go round the top mark just behind Theo in second, chased by Matt Conner, Rich Wadsworth and Matt Carter, followed closely by Pete Purkiss and Andy Wright. Theo stormed downwind only to fall over at the gate with the kite up letting Rob and Matt Carter (who had overtaken the others) to round in second. Theo righted to restart the second beat in fourth behind Matt Conner. Rob remained in the lead with Matt Carter chasing hard on the second lap. Theo passed Matt Conner upwind to regain third but couldn't catch Rob and Matt Carter. Rob gybed early in the final downwinder and had to do a second (very sketchy) gybe just before the gate. Despite that he took the win ahead of Matt Carter, with Theo coming in third ahead of Matt Conner.

A cold hour later the race officer started race three in 25+ knots. Matt Conner and Theo both got another great start just behind Rich who was charging hard enjoying the increased pressure. Rob had a tussle with Andy Wright on the line before powering past him and chasing down the leaders. Theo rounded first ahead of Matt Conner and then Rob and Matt Carter. Matt Carter bore away and buried the nose to capsize letting Rich Wadsworth and Pete Purkiss through. Theo stayed ahead for the next lap until his kite fell down on the second run causing a capsize. Rob took the lead and Matt Conner gained second place until Theo stormed past Matt upwind. On the final leg Rob fell in on the gybe with massive gusts now causing havoc across the course. The lead boats weaved their way through an RS700 graveyard downwind. Theo got past Rob who managed the quickest righting of the whole day to recover and finish second. Matt Carter remained ahead of Rich to finish third.

Noble Marine RS700 National Championship - Day 2 - photo © Richard Bowers

All up we had an incredible second day of sailing with hard racing duels across the fleet. Even though the wind increased to become challenging for everyone the fleet remained out for all the races and competed hard which is a testament to the new fleet members. Theo remains in the lead overall, followed by Rob and Matt Carter in third. Bring on day three!!

Thanks to sponsorship from RS Sailing the sailors were welcomed ashore by a can of chilled pop or booze in return for handing in their tally.

Our daily prize-giving was sponsored by Noble Marine. Theo and Rob collected an insulated water bottle, while Theo was also awarded a cap, After Eight Mints and this season's smart RS Class Association UV neck sleeves for his race wins across day one and two. Thank you Noble Marine and very well done Theo!

Results after Day 2:

Full results available here.