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UK Grand Prix Round 2 - Plymouth

Day 1

Today was the first day of the 18ft Skiff Nationals and whilst the ominous 25 knots forecast didn't materialise, it didn't stop some story-telling moments. The fleet are sailing from Mount Batten Watersports Centre and the three days racing is being run by an enthusiastic team from Plymouth Youth Sailing.

The first race was a shakedown for a couple of the crews who have been brought together to have a go for the national title. The teams on Sail 4 Cancer and AC Boatworks are both scratch crews for the event.

Rutland rounded first with a good set getting them clear, followed by ChameleonI and LED. Rutland managed to throw it all away by running over the gate and letting everyone through. ChameleonI sailed on to take the win.

Race two and the start was tight, so the fleet split to all get their own air. The Sound had a couple of large oil tankers to create options and decisions across the race course.

Rutland and LED lead the fleet around the first lap before getting entangled in a port/starboard incident which again let the fleet sail away. ChameleonI took line honours followed by AC Boatworks.

The final race was more of a pure race, with no incidents slowing boats down. ChameleonI managed to hold off the fleet again for another bullet. The wind swung round throughout the race, making the decisions ever-changing. AC Boatworks got the right call in the last downwind around the course obstacles to take another second place ahead of LED.

Back to the bar for beer - or ibuprofen - to chew the fat on the days racing incidences. Tomorrow's racing should be held on the big rigs and more boats will join to make it all to play for the national title.

Day 2

The second day of the UK 18ft Skiff Nationals took place in Plymouth Sound in borderline conditions between the big and small rigs. There were many walks around the corner to check the wind conditions and the usual boat park chats between teams, egging each other on to swap rigs until the last minute. In the end, the fleet was split down the middle on rig choices.

The first race was almost a carbon copy to the first one yesterday with Rutland taking the lead after the first leg, followed by ChameleonI and LED. Rutland were wandering how they were going to throw it away this time, but held it together for another lap to take the win.

Race two grew in breeze which favoured the small rigs. This meant ChameleonI got in front, even with the big rigs of Rutland and LED getting close, but not close enough. ChameleonI took the bullet followed by Rutland and a last minute charge from Union Rose.

The charge of Union Rose continued in the last race when hooking into an awesome shift and rounded the first top mark first. The little rigs seemed to pay for the whole last race, with ChameleonI following in second place and Rutland coming through in third ahead of their local counterparts in AC Boatworks.

That leaves Graham Bridle of ChameleonI looking good in the top spot before the last day and the two Rutland based skiffs in joint second place. Tomorrow is looking like the whole fleet will be sailing on the big rigs with the forecast and the 2017 title for National Champions decided by the end of the day.

Day 3

Two races were sailed on the final day of the UK 18ft Skiff Nationals on a glorious summer's day on Plymouth Sound. The fleet was held ashore for a short while to let the wind to establish into a good 5 to 8 knots on the course.

The first race was a close start, with LED leading the fleet in a drag race over to the cliffs. ChameleonI managed to bring back LED to lead through both laps and take yet another bullet on their already impressive scorecard. The two Rutland boats were scrapping just behind and frantically trying to work out the mathematics - given they started the day on the same amount of points!

Race two initiated another loud start line with skiffs racking up with a minute to go. This time, it was LED who managed to get to the top mark first, picking their way through the tidal gains and shifts. ChameleonI got close, but surrendered the pole position by the finish line to let LED take the final bullet of the series. AC Boatworks and Rutland were again locked in a tacking duel on the second upwind, that led to a tense final downwind leg and only a matter of seconds between the finishing times.

And so it was decided. ChameleonI's dominance led to them be crowned National Champions. The event was close with 4 boats getting first places throughout the weekend, but the consistency of ChamleonI shined through, giving them a comfortable margin on the rest of the fleet. The points gap further down the leaderboard was much closer, with the remaining podium places up for grabs by a number of boats, going into the final day.

The fleet would like to thank all that helped to make the event happen. Plymouth Youth Sailing pulled together an impressive series of races and were very accommodating of the small intricacies of skiff racing. Mount Batten Watersports centre provided all the perfect facilities needed for a National Championships. It's safe to say, the whole fleet loved their weekend's racing in Plymouth!

Results