Saturday brought a totally different morning, as sailors arrived to a sunny Rutland with a more moderate breeze. Refreshed after an evening relaxing to music and enjoying the BBQ for some, and hounding each other over a game of human table football for others, competitors were ready and raring for the day ahead.
As boats began to launch we caught up with yesterday’s golden boys, Fin and Dan Armstrong to see how they plan to approach the remainder of the regatta after their perfect score on day 1. They admitted that they felt particularly quick in the breeze yesterday and with lighter wind forecast today they were aiming to keep themselves in the game, taking each race as it comes. They explained that although it would be nice to win, they weren’t aiming for any miracles at this stage.
Race 1 got underway on time in 12 knots of breeze. It was up and down at the front of the fleet, but it was the Henry and Rupert Jameson that took the gun in the first flight, closely followed by Daniel Lewis & Tristan Payne and Harry Jones & Ethan Plank. Jack Lewis and Lucas Marshall lead the charge in the other flight, ahead of Rory Odell & Josh Bonsey and Iain Bird & Jake Hardman.
The breeze continued to drop across the course, changing the game from the previous day. Lewis and Payne went from strength to strength and won their flight, with the Jameson brothers snapping at their heels. It became a family affair with the second Lewis brother finishing in 3rd crewed by Lewis Marshall. Meanwhile Ryan Bush and Abigail Campbell had a storming race to win their flight ahead of Odell & Bonsey who were beginning to make the 2nd place their own and Freya Black and Hatty Cage, who took 3rd.
It became a snakes and ladders game out on the course as the wind became less stable. It was all about looking for the gusts on the water and sailing a conservative race. Lewis and Marshall finished the qualifying series on a high, winning their fleet. Freddie Peters and Louis Johnson followed in 2nd ahead of overnight leaders, Fin and Dan Armstrong. It was a win each for the Lewis brothers as Daniel Lewis and Tristan Payne took the win in the other flight, followed by Charles Elliot & Ellie McDonald and the Jameson brothers.
A change in conditions has seen a change on the score board since yesterday. Henry and Rupert Jameson are the heroes of the hour and lead going into the final series, counting only top 3 results. The Armstrong brothers have stayed true to their word and sailed a consistent day, enough to keep them in 2nd position overnight while Rory Odell and Joshua Bonsey go into the final series in 3rd overall and on Joint points with the Armstrongs. Freya Black and Hatty Cage are currently the leading all girl team in 9th position, but the points are close so it’s all to play for.
Tomorrow is when the real racing begins. Boats will be split into gold and silver fleet, and as the final day of racing, it’s the chance for competitors to go in all guns blazing in pursuit of this year’s National title.
Image © Peter Newton / www.peternewton.zenfolio.com