After the flat calm of Sunday and no sailing the Noble Marine RS200 National Championships at Exmouth got under way today in that rarest of things for the British summer – glorious sunshine, wall to wall blue skies and a gentle breeze that slowly built to near champagne conditions for the end of the third race.

With an earlier start to help to try and catch up race 1 was opened by Chris Catt/Ally Martin in 6/7 knots but it was early start heaven as those out early were soon able to tack over. Hamish Walker/Emma Hivey were on fire and pulled out a very handsome lead even as the wind became soft to win from an equally comfortable Matt Mee/Emma Norris in second with Pippa Wilson/John Gimson grabbing third.

Race 2 was more of the same with Walker/Hivey leading but this time they had to hold off a very determined challenge from Ben Saxton and Toby Lewis who closed right up to their transom on the final lap. Lee Sydenham/Severine Rees-Jones pulled through to third.

Now in strong sunshine and a due south breeze that had built up to 14 knots Race 3 saw late on the gate much more favoured although many over stood on the strong tide. Johnny McGovern/Sarah Williams looked to have built a race winning lead but Saxton/Lewis was on a mission and reeled them in to win. Local Exe SC boys Arthur Henderson/Alex Horlock finished third.

The strength of the fleet is shown by the fact that only the top three overall have recorded 3 top 10 finishes.  Walker/Hivey are on equal points with Saxton/Lewis with Mee/Norris close behind. Past National Champions the Gilberts and the Hivey’ s are languishing in 9th and 10th overall with only one top ten finish each. What is very clear this is going to be a fairly high scoring champs and much will yet happen.

Debbie Darling

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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 21 August 2012 )