Photos by Gareth Fudge - www.boatographic.co.uk, Catherine Richardson & Rob Bellfield
Three races were achieved today in Day 2 of the Navigators and General Mirror National Championships despite heavy rain showers and massive shifts in the wind. General Recalls, Black Flags and big shifts seconds before the start became the order of the day and presented significant challenges to Principal Race Officer Sean Semmens and his team from Brixham YC.
On the racecourse Rachel Grayson and Gemma Francis Burnett led the way with a 2nd and two 1sts to take the leaderboard, followed by David and Edd Coady with a 9th and two 3rds, and an improving position from Henry and Jamie Rastrick who have climbed up to 3rd overall with a 5th and two 2nds. Understanding the shift pattern and pressure lines has been important with the breeze funneling down valleys into Torbay from the west - good conditions from those who are more used to sailing inland. The Irish challenge is still alive and well with Shane McLoughlin and Oscar Langan lying 5th overall but results further down the fleet show many top boats struggling to cope with the conditions. The forecast is for lighter winds tomorrow, with the chance of a more northerly component - "will the breeze be more stable?" - is the question of the moment.
Results can be found at:
http://www.brixhamyachtclub.com/racing/2014/results/mirrorsnatsos.html
All Gareth's photos from Day 2 are on www.boatographic.co.uk from where they can be purchased.
