Day 3, with 4 x 45 minute races programmed to be sailed between 1030 and 1330, was going to be a bit like shotgun alley sailing. Team Harken (Nick Craig/Toby (Tastic) Lewis) had the advantage over Team GUL/North Sails (Mark Barnes/Charlotte (Char) Jones) but there was little to chose between these two, running exactly the same kit and Seavolution B14s, other than the latter had used up their discards if wishing to win with another 2 teams breathing down their necks.
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With 35 knots forecast, the fleet launched with a little apprehension today but were rewarded with fantastic downwind rides in 15-25 knots and long, spread out waves that make Porthpean such a great place to sail.
There was drama pre-start as Mark Barnes/Charlotte Jones misjudged a cross on the way to the start and snapped their bowsprit on another boat to the sounds of "ooooh" from the spectators in the clubhouse. A lot of very helpful club members ran a Formula 1 speed pit-stop bowsprit change so that Barnes/Jones were able to make the 2nd and final race of the day
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The B14 arrived at Porthpean Sailing Club on Thursday to sun and fantastic outlook to prepare for the Nationals.
Friday arrived, rain and no wind. However, after a 1 hour postponement, The fleet launched. There would be a 2 hour delay between race 1 and race 2 whilst the fleet awaited the breeze.
Throughout the races there was very tight racing at the front with a right old ding dong in race 1 between Team Harken (Nick Craig/Toby Tastic Lewis) and Team Gul/North Sails (Mark Barnes/Charlotte Char Jones). The latter pulled away and won as Harken battled with Demelza (Peter Knight/Jane Reeves) and Team North Sails/Troublegum (Alan Davis/Rich Bell). Race 2 was a repeat with the first 2 exchanging position but ending up with a repeat of the first race with the first 2 having nothing between them cross gybing into the finish, again going to Team Gul/North Sails.
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