Styles leads after day one

Nacra Infusion clean sweep at the F18 Nationals

The wind came for day one of the F18 nationals raced at Parkstone Yacht
Club in Poole.

The wind first thing this morning was 10 knots, but built steadily as it swung to the west reaching an average of 21 knots, with gusts to 26 knots, with an increasing swell and chop on top to contend with. Two races were held, with a good turn out for this years nationals, with close to 30 boats on the starting line which was a great sight.

The first race was filled with action, and much place changing, but it was Adam Piggott, on a Nacra Infusion, who sailed superbly to clinch the win. His father, Grant Piggott,
was 2nd and in 3rd was Hugh Styles, both also sailing Nacra Infusions. Jonathan Worthington, also on a Nacra Infusion, was racing really well until he spotted another sailor in the water and stopped to assist him. John was subsequently given equal 2nd place.

The second race started in even more wind but unfortunately Grant Piggott had an issue just after the start, snapping a rope in the trapeze system and losing his crew temporarily. Styles 'made hay' while the sun shone and, sailing with his Worlds crew Ferdinand Van West, this team sailed supremely to win comfortably in the testing conditions. Stuart Gummer snuck through into 2nd just in front of John Beech 3rd, Adam Piggott in 4th and 5th was Grant Piggott pulling all the way back through the fleet after his bad start.

The overalls results after day one are:
1st Hugh Styles (Nacra Infusion)
2nd Adam Piggott (Nacra Infusion)
3rd Grant Piggott (Nacra Infusion)

Looking forward to a little less wind tomorrow, but the conditions in Poole bay are superb and were looking forwards to some great sailing on day 2 and 3.