Black flag for many

Day two of racing at the Fireball National and European Championships was dominated by the black flag

The early morning westerly breeze was soon overcome as sea breeze clouds started to build. By 1 pm a north-easterly breeze had filled in allowing race officer Mike Pearson to set a course. Once again he had his black flag on show. At the first attempt at starting a number of competitors managed to pick up there second black flag of the week and it is only race two.

When the fleet did get away it was race one winners DJ Edwards and Dan Newman who lead at the windward mark followed by the Fireball International Commodore Penny & Ian Gibbs. However the Jury boat decided that Penny and Ian were being over eager down wind leading them to have to do a 720 penalty turn allowing Andy Smith and Jonny Mildred into second. There were many place changes taking place on the first triangle with Dave Wade and Richard Wagstaff, Graham Newton and Mark Stephens and Andy Pearce and Adam Broughton constantly swapping third place. Down the final reach Graham and Mark managed to power past Andy and Adam to take third gun.

The race officer was quick to turn the fleet around for race three, however the fleet were also too quick with Mike Pearson once again having to send a number of competitors home with his black flag.

With the sea breeze still building race three eventually got away in a good force three to four breeze with many teams electing to rake back onto medium settings. At the windward mark it was the 2004 European Champions Tomas Musil and Jan Stantejsky from Czech who lead from Vince Horey and Gavin Tilson. Down the first reach Vince and Gavin managed to overhaul Tomas and Jan to take a lead which they would hold to the finish. By the end of the race Chips Howarth and Vyv Townend had pulled up to second spot with Dave Wade and Richard Wagstaff in third, relegating Tomas and Jan to fourth spot.

After three races, with many top sailors picking up at least one black flag, Dave Wade and Richard Wagstaff headed the leader board from DJ Edwards and Dan Newman in second and Richard Estaugh and Rob Gardner in third.

Tonight it is “Buddy” night where boats from each half of the fleet are paired up. Each boat is given a ticket and only when you find your buddy can you take your tickets to the bar and present then for a free drink.