Noble Marine Comet Trio Mark 1 National Championship at Exe Sailing Club - Day 1

Noble Marine Comet Trio Mark 1 Nationals at Exe Day 1 © Rob Vince

Noble Marine Comet Trio Mark 1 Nationals at Exe Day 1 © Rob Vince

A rather grey, overcast sky greeted the competitors on the first day of the Comet Trio Mark 1 National Championship held at Exe Sailing club sponsored by Noble Marine.

It proved an equally difficult day for both competitors and race team ably led by Tim Graham.

The first start seemed to go well for some with Ian McKay & Richard Stradling starting at the committee boat end & heading off onto port tack. Others including Ben Flower & Poppy Sallis, Andrew & Caroline McAusland & Mike & Anne Way started at the pin end which turned out to be have been a bad idea.

First to the windward mark were Jamie Grigor crewed by Tim Farmer, closely followed by Toby Elliot & Sue Frost & Ian & Richard - all picking up a big wind shift & looking delighted.

Mother nature intervened however & to the dismay of the leading boats, the race was abandoned after an even larger wind shift.

The marks were quickly repositioned for the Northerly breeze which had set in & we were soon off for the windward leeward course. The port side seemed favourable & first to the windward mark were the McAuslands followed by Anne & Mike Way who overtook on the run.The leading boats then favoured the starboard side of the course but Steve Ashford crewed by Martin Yeomans had other ideas heading off on the port side of the course. He popped around the windward mark first & held his lead to take the winners gun. Anne & Mike finished second just ahead of Chris & Ben Biglin.

Noble Marine Comet Trio Mark 1 Nationals at Exe Day 1 - photo © Rob Vince

There was a gentle breeze for race 2 with the fleet splitting again. The McAuslands & Guy Farrant crewed by Graham Sykes held on to a long starboard tack, others favoured the starboard side of the course. Farrant & Sykes arrived first at the windward mark followed by the McAuslands. Unfortunately, the breeze started to die away & boats were being swept down to the mark. However, a very astute Ben Flower & Poppy spotted a vein of wind filling in which they carried all the way to the finish line, followed by the McAuslands & Guy & Graham.

Everyone started paddling in when a wonderful Easterly breeze set in giving a spectacular sail back to the club. Much discussion over tea & cake about all the position changing & misfortunes!

Results after Day 1: