Black flags close up leaders

Hugh Watson reports on a stressful day of 4000 sailing

Despite the forecast there was both wind and sunshine today, although more sunshine than wind unfortunately. It was a very light, shifty and patchy wind that made being in the right place at the right time extremely difficult.

Race one was led convincigly from start to finish by Helena Lucas & Jenny Heely with Ben McGrane & Jonathan Clegg second. Event leaders Pete Barton & Simon Knatchbull had a solid fourth place. Hugh & Helen Watsons run of consistency came to an abrupt end with a black flag DSQ.

Race two was very tricky with light patchy winds and huge shifts. It was eventually won by Ian Sanderson & John Heissig from Penny Mountford and Russ Clark with Owen Modral and Russ Clark 3rd. All of the top runners overall were well buried with the exception of Mark Cotgrove and Ian Gotts who were 4th.

The drama began to unfold in the last race though as a series of general recalls led to 16 boats being sent home for an early bath including Pete Barton. With Cotgrove & Gotts winning the race and the Watsons 4th the leaderboard has really opened up.

Barton and Knatchbull are leading but on equal points with the Watsons. Gotts & Cotgrove are now only 4 points behind.

Tonight the fleet are invited to a tour of St Michaels Mount follwed by a BBQ in the sunshine.

A long and stressful day, I’m off for a cool drink!