Noble Marine RS700 National Championship at Brightlingsea Sailing Club - Day 1

Richard Wadsworth on day 1 of the Noble Marine RS700 Nationals at Brighlingsea © William Stacey

Best day one ever? I don't think you would get a resounding yes from all sailors, but I certainly enjoyed it!

Fuelled by Wednesday night's excellent chicken casserole and fresh from a pleasant snooze under the warm starry sky.... (alright I'll stop and get to the sailing)... the 30 strong fleet glided out of the river into a 6 to 10 knot South Easterly exactly as forecast.

Startline on day 1 of the Noble Marine RS700 Nationals at Brighlingsea - photo © William Stacey

Race one saw Richie Thurlby shoot out of the pin end and use his upwind pace to round first by a fair few boat lengths with John Booth in 2nd. Ultimately though it was Rob Higgins who paired good strategy with pace to take the win. John and Richie swapped places several times with Richie's upwind speed proving to be the deciding factor.

Race two saw Tom Porter shoot out of the blocks, trapeze hard and show the fleet a clean pair of...rack bars.... With untouchable upwind speed, he held his lead to the finish with Rob getting the better of the chasing pack only to fall victim to an unfortunate schmelting.... I mean snagging incident just before the finish allowing John through with Richie close behind.

Concentration on day 1 of the Noble Marine RS700 Nationals at Brighlingsea - photo © William Stacey

In race three John managed to sneak around in first and extend on a tussling Pete Purkiss and Rob Higgins. Unfortunately though, 30 years of sailing hadn't taught him to read the number of laps and so he left the chasing pack to enjoy a bit of variety as the right side of the course paid for the first time with more breeze than the patchy left. Rob got the better of them to take the win with James Clarke reading the conditions best to progress to 2nd.

Day two forecast is less promising but there is a short burst of more 6 to 9 knots South Easterly after midday. With a belly full of another excellent meal (chilli this time) I am optimistic but fingers crossed anyway.

Results after Day 1: