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DAY 3 REPORT
Noble Marine UK Musto Skiff National Championship 2026
East Lothian Yacht Club (ELYC)
North Berwick, Scotland
Report by Euan Hurter
If Day 2 was about surviving a lumpy sea state, Day 3 was about surviving full stop.
The forecast had been threatening all weekend, with squalls well over 30 knots predicted, and it was absolutely right. The fleet was held ashore for a couple of hours while the race committee waited for the weather to settle before the PRO finally sent us afloat to see what was actually out on the racecourse.
The answer? Everything.
By the time we reached the course there was a fairly consistent 17–24 knots, big wave sets rolling through, and a steady stream of weather fronts passing overhead. Each front brought a noticeable jump in breeze, with gusts climbing well over 20 knots before easing back to the prevailing wind.
Lots of sailors nearly capsized. Some actually did. A few ripped footstraps clean out of their boats. Others decided various bits of rigging or fittings weren’t really necessary anymore, while avoiding collisions became another part of the race.
Despite the conditions, racing got underway. We completed two laps, in what turned out to be the only race of the day. Shortly after the finish, the biggest front of the afternoon arrived, with gusts building to around 30 knots. That was enough for the race officials, who wisely abandoned any thoughts of further racing and sent the fleet back to shore.
The beat home was every bit as entertaining as the race itself, with survival mode fully engaged. Judging by the smiles back on the beach, most of the fleet were very happy not to be sent back out for another one.
At the front, Ben Clegg took the race win, followed by Rob Richardson, with Eddie Bridle producing one of the saves of the day – including a swim on the final downwind and still managing to recover to finish third. Dan Trotter followed, with Andy Tarboton rounding out the top 5. Tom Kyne was sailing well again, while Tom Goodman looked set for a strong result until a late swim dropped him back.
After a morning of rain and grey skies, the sun eventually made a brief appearance, giving everyone just enough time to warm up before packing away. Special mention to 17-year-old youth sailor Thomas Whitehead for winning the committee boat at the start and having one of the best starts of the fleet.
With just one day left, the championship is still wide open. The top ten are incredibly close on points, with Eddie Bridle leading overnight, Rob Richardson in second, and Dan Trotter in third. After three days of hugely varied conditions – and one day that was more survival than racing – Sunday’s finale promises a proper fight for the 2026 National Championship title.
Results - Day 3
2 – Rob Richardson
3 – Dan Trotter
4 – Danny Boatman
5 – Andy Tarboton
Full Results – Day 3: Noble Marine UK Musto Skiff National Championship 2026: https://elyc.org.uk/resources/Documents/Events/Musto%20Skiffs%202026/musto%20draft.htm
Feature photo: Day 3 – Noble Marine UK Musto Skiff National Championship 2026 | © George Day
