Leader Dinghy National Championship at Reading Sailing Club - Day 1

Race 1 on day 1 of the Leader Dinghy National Championship at Reading © Paul Robson

Roger & Sybil Morse in the Leader Dinghy National Championship at Reading on day 1 © Paul Robson

Start of race 2 on day 1 of the Leader Dinghy National Championship at Reading © Paul Robson

With a Northerly wind of 8-10 knots the practice race got underway just after lunch, this gave everyone a chance to find their bearings on the lake and see who had the form. 1196 helmed by Sally & Mike Newlove won the race with a commanding lead, and left others realising that they had to up their game.

Second was taken by half a boat length at the line by 1083 Chris & Jane Wharmby from 1128 Nev Robson & Issy Jenkins. Whilst the local favourite of 273 Newton Anthony and Bob Lovell had a great start they finished well down the fleet with work to be done.

Race 1 got underway with 1130 Roger & Sybil Morse taking the lead at the windward mark just ahead of 273 Newton & Bob. At the leeward mark 1130 had pulled out a lead, but 273 were keeping in contact. 1196 Sally was the leading lady helm and continued to show good pace.

On lap 2 the windward mark became light and shifty allowing 1083 Chris & Jane to move up into second place. Whilst on the run 1214 Ben & Ben Rickards decided to show everyone their skills and launched the spinnaker. Lap 3 saw the breeze return and 1214 gained 2 places on the run moving up to 5th. The final beat was a great tussle between 1083 Chis and 273 Newton.

Final positions: 1st 1130 Roger & Sybil, 2nd 1083 Chris & Jane, 3rd 273 Newton & Bob.

Following a leisurely break ashore for tea, cakes, beer and tuning tips the fleet returned to the water for Race 2 and a new course.

Due to a large wind shift the first start was postponed to relay the start line and first mark and then the fleet were away. Unfortunately 273 Newton & Bob were OCS and failed to return, and not realising their error continued to race.

1083 Chris & Jane had pulled out a commanding lead at the end of Lap 1 which would make it hard to be caught, but 1128 Nev & Issy were chasing. Lap 2 saw close racing on the reaches and runs between 1128, 1130, 273 and 1214 with gains and losses as boats came back together at the leeward mark.

Into lap 3 and 1083 were pulling out a larger lead as the following pack of 4 boats continued to jostle for positions and gains were seen by those heading to the left of the course coming back upwind to the lapping gate.

Part-way through lap 4 the wind strength backed off to 3-4 knots and the light wind specialists came through and others dropped back. As the wind suddenly increased and backed through 45 degrees this caught out 1196 Sally & Mike who were mid penalty turns and ended up with a quick swim.

1083 Chris & Jane finished well ahead of the fleet in first, followed by 273 Newton & Bob who were OCS, leaving 1214 Ben & Ben to take second from 1130 Roger & Sybil in third.

Results after day 1: