Noble Marine RS400 National Championship 2024 at Royal Torbay Yacht Club - Day 1

Dodgy launch on Noble Marine RS400 Nationals at Torquay Day 1 © Hannah @ RTYC

Race 1 starts on Noble Marine RS400 Nationals at Torquay Day 1 © Hannah @ RTYC

The calm before the storm seems the best way to describe the weekend; with Royal Torbay Yacht Club proving excellent hosts as competitors arrived in various states of preparedness.

Most were catching up in the sun over a couple of beers, with a few heading out for some practice and a great coaching session run by Sam Knight and Chris Bownes on Sunday. There was an undercurrent of nervous tension though, with a forecast for the week of a couple of jetstreams having a punch up followed by a Michael Fish-esque "hurricane" due to arrive Thursday or Friday... we shall see...

Sure enough, things were looking pretty fresh on Monday as the fleet launched into 18-20 knots with the forecast promising much more later on; Paul Smalley and Anna Kerslake lead the fleet out of the harbour in their new ship - and promptly continued this by leading round the first windward mark. It was all action behind, with Edd Whitehead and Ben Whaley having blown their kicker up in the first few seconds, managed to lash it up whilst heading out the corner and play their get of jail card to benefit from the same left shift that had catapulted Paul and Anna into the lead.

The breeze started to build on Lap 2 with a very short steep chop that made boat handling on the downwinds challenging - Sam Knight and Chris Bownes had flown upwind to challenge for the lead but the immortal line from their coaching session "we never safety gybe but here's how you do it if you need to" returned to haunt them as they hit the tide. At the front Edd and Ben had built a good lead by the end of the third lap to win from a hard charging Ollie Groves and Esther Parkhurst, and Chris Eames and Rachel Tilley.

Leading the silver fleet are Andy and Allyson Jefferies, one place ahead of Neil Bevington and Alan Skeens.

The race team rightly decided that that was enough fun and games for the day without unduly worrying event sponsors Noble Marine, sending the fleet in for a very hospitable prize-giving (thanks to Marlow Ropes and Rooster for the spot prizes) and Commodore's Reception with the plan for three races tomorrow.

Noble Marine RS400 Nationals at Torquay Day 1 prize winners with Bob Penfold and PRO Michael Currie - photo © RS Class Association

Results after Day 1: