It was an overcast and wet start for day two of the Beach Regatta and with the temperature barely in the teens it felt more like autumn than summer. With both the wind and sea state gradually increasing throughout the day the changing conditions suited different craft as there was a different winner in each race
Racing started with a NE’ely F2. With the tide still ebbing boats were close to the line but somehow racing started first time. The fleet split up the beat but arrived close together at the windward mark with Phil (RS700) just ahead of Richard & Mark (RS400). Richard & Robyn (RS400) had a good downwind leg with just one second separating the two leading RS400’s at the gate. Behind, Jonathon (Laser) was almost matching the Phantoms and Contender. Richard & Mark had a great final lap pulling well clear of the other RS400’s to take the race win with Jonathon second and Nick (Phantom) third.
By the start of race two the sea state had increased a tad. Most of the fleet headed offshore with Phil rounding first followed by Richard & Mark, with Simon & Bruce (RS400) close behind, with all three heading inshore. Richard and Robyn stayed offshore and closed the gap on Simon & Bruce and rounding the gate together with Nick (Phantom) just one second ahead. For a brief while the sun made an appearance but quickly disappeared again and stayed hidden for the rest of the day. Despite it being the longest race of the day Jonathon managed to stay close the rear of the fleet for the first two laps but this was enough to take the win on corrected time from Nick with Phil in third place.
Despite a forecasted low water time of 11.02 it was still slack water at the start of race three. The wind had increased to a F3, NNE. Phil headed the fleet around the windward mark followed by Phil2 (Contender). Phil did a horizon job and was awarded with an extra lap and the race win. Richard & Mark slipped past Phil2 on the downwind leg eventually pulling clear of the other RS400’s and was second on corrected time. At the finish the other two RS400’s crossed the line one second apart with Team Beckett the victors. Jonathon once again managed stay close enough behind this time to claim third, his worst result in the regatta!
Congratulations to Jonathon as overall winner with Nick second and Phil third.
