Report: Noble Marine UK Musto Skiff National Championship 2024 – Day 1

Race 1 kicked off on time with a 5-8 knot south westerly. The fleet was under way, recall-free, thanks to a strong tide keeping everyone at bay on the start line. With big shifts coming off the shore, the fleet split up the beat. A big right-hander saw Bill Maughan take advantage with a healthy lead from the far right, followed by Rob Richardson, and Danny Boatman at the windward mark.

Rob’s blistering pace downwind was only let down by a comical trapeze line failure, costing him half of the fleet. Danny got ahead of Bill by the bottom mark, with Sam Pascoe and Sam Barker chasing back from behind. By the second lap, the breeze had built up to 15–18 knots. Bill and Danny were tussling for the lead, but Bill was just ahead by the top mark. A ‘full send’ downwind was the plan, but Bill let himself down at the gybe and went swimming, forfeiting the lead. Danny swept it up, with Barker and Pascoe also getting past, finishing in 2nd and 3rd, respectively.

Race 2 was a test of everyone’s patience. After a long delay, our faithful race committee did an excellent job getting another race going in a dying breeze. Sam Barker nailed the pin and led from start to finish. This gave Barker the overnight lead on countback, with race 3 abandoned due to lack of wind. Danny Boatman finished in 2nd, putting him in 2nd overall, and despite coming 5th in race 1, Eddie Bridle’s 3^rd place in race 2 moved him up into 3rd overnight.

After a few social beers at the sailing club, the fleet headed out on mass to sample the local pubs in Filey’s town centre before finishing up at the local curry house in preparation for four races on Saturday.