Report: Day 1 of the 2022 UK Musto Skiff Nationals at Eastbourne – 1st Sept

Noble Marine UK Musto Skiff National Championships 2022
Eastbourne Sovereign Sailing Club
1 – 4 Sept 2022
DAY 1 REPORT

Report by GBR Musto Skiff Class Association

The first day of the 2022 Noble Marine UK Musto Skiff National Championships kicked off with plenty of wind, but this also meant the fleet would have to navigate large rolling waves on the shore just to get off the beach and out to the start line.

With unsettled winds and tricky launch conditions all morning, it was not surprising that the first race was delayed. Once the wind settled, the AP flag was down, and sailing was on, but with 3 metre waves and 15 – 20knots of wind to launch in, it was going to be an interesting first race!

Race 1

Race 1, and there was to be no easing in gently. Wind against tide and a lumpy gusty 15 to 20kots was in store for the fleet – many of whom who had already taken a swim pre-start. The fleet got away cleanly, and it was Jono Shelley who showed first and got the hammer down off the port end, followed by Sam Pascoe, Ian Turnbull and Bruce Keen.

With the tide in the turn, it wasn’t clear which way would pay, but big Danny Boatman came screaming in from the right corner to lead at mark 1, followed by Sam and Jono. 3 big full-on laps allowed Sam to show he had serious legs on the fleet to stretch out a strong lead. Ian Turnbull mugged Shelley on the last run with his famous close your eyes and send it technique to take second with Shelley, Keen and Boatman next.

It was a long race and most of the fleet were ready for home, but two more races were in store….

Day 1 - 2022 UK Musto Skiff Nationals - Turnbull and Shelley (© Tim Olin, 2022)
Day 1 - 2022 UK Musto Skiff Nationals (© Tim Olin, 2022)

Race 2

Race 2 began in around 15knots with the majority of the fleet hitting the shore to stay out of the tide. Boatman was first to the windward mark, closely followed by Pascoe with Keen in 3rd. Pascoe didn’t take long to hit the front and extended from there to a comfortable victory. Keen and Boatman changed places a few times before Keen eventually gybed inside to take 2nd and Boatman taking 3rd.

The fleet enjoyed the last couple of rollercoaster rides down the large waves before the wind decided to disappear!

Day 1 - 2022 UK Musto Skiff Nationals (© Tim Olin, 2022)

Race 3

For the last race on the day, the wind dropped massively down to 5 knots. With the tide ripping everyone behind the line, everyone was a bit keen, and a general recall was needed. For the second start everyone behaved and worked hard to get to the shore and out of the tide. Bruce Keen led Rob Richardson and Dan Trotter round the top mark. Slightly further back there was a pile up at the top mark caused by the tide with a lot of shouting.

The top 3 remained the same at the leeward mark, but with Richardson tacking slightly before Keen, he managed to pip him to the line after the race team shortened the course at the top mark. Turnbull then managed to steal 3rd from Pascoe.

After the first day of racing, and subject to a protest from the last race, Same Pascoe finished in 1st place, Bruce Keen in 2nd place, and Danny Boatman in 3rd.

 

GBR Sailor Ben Clegg | Photo credit: © Tim Olin
Day 1 - 2022 UK Musto Skiff Nationals - Sam Pascoe (© Tim Olin, 2022)

Day 1 Results

Top 10 places (provisional results pending protest):

1stGBR636Sam PascoeCastle Cove SC
2ndGBR623Bruce KeenStokes Bay SC
3rdGBR628Daniel BoatmanSunderland YC
4thGBR274Ian TurnbullUllswater YC
5thGBR610Daniel TrotterSYC
6thGBR638Sam BarkerCastle Cove SC
7thGBR624Eddie BridleBrightlingsea SC
8thGBR516Richard PelleyStokes Bay SC
9thGBR549Robert RichardsonRoyal windermere YC
10thGBR637Bill MaughanSunderland YC

For the latest results view here.

All photo credits: © Tim Olin / olinphoto.co.uk/

Day 1 Video

Video for Day 1 of the Noble Marine UK Musto Skiff National Championships 2022 hosted at Eastbourne Sovereign Sailing Club over 1 – 4 September 2022.

Video produced by Send It Media Productions on 1st Sept, 2022.

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