UK Nationals Day Three
The third and final day of Reg Fest and the UK Tornado National Championships was another windy one. The sailors woke up to rain and gusts coming through the sailing club.
The race officer was happy with conditions on the race course so the boats headed out for more racing, it had to be the big day for races due to the previous conditions.
Some teams stayed back on shore today and some picked and chose which races they wanted to take part in, the wind was blowing but the forecast ensured us that it would calm down towards the end of the day.
With four boats on the start line for the first race the big battle was going to be between Grant Piggot and Ryan Duffield, Ryan was hoping to add to his Hurricane victory earlier in the year. The racing was close between the fleet and it was looking like Ryan Duffield and Thilo Keller were going to take victory until they had an unfortunate swim going through the gate on their way to the finish line. Grant and Robby quickly came through to take victory.
In race two Lee Harrison and Barry Arnison had also come out to play. They had a real battle all the way around the race course until Barry's rudder kept popping up on the downwind leg. Grant Piggot and Robby Jon-Garka also took victory in this race.
There were 5 boats for race 3 and the conditions were calming down by now with the waves becoming smaller and more manageable upwind. Grant Piggot again took victory followed by Kyle Stoneham and Lewis Crawford.
The last race of the day turned into a match race with only two competitors left out and ready to start, it was Paul Mines and Stewart Smith vs Lee Harrison and Andrew Dowley. Both quick off the start line it was a good race on the first leg but Lee Harrison chose to tack early into clean air. Paul Mines continued and was first around the windward mark, although taking different routes up and down the race course the two were swapping places and it was very quick close action racing. Lee Harrison and Andrew Dowley eventually pulled through on the downwind leg to take race victory.
With 5 out of 7 wins Grant Piggot and Robby Jon-Garka took this year's National Championships - Congratulations to them.
As an association it was great to see so many sailors out who are passionate about the Tornado, the racing was very close and action packed - exactly what we wanted.
Richard Thoroughgood summed up his experience of the weekend saying "Back from the T-Bird nationals. Big winds and big damage ensured we only competed in one race, but who cares? It was the best 45 minutes of racing in years. Great to make new friends who are as passionate about these fantastic machines as me. Great speed, great racing, great prices! Everyone buy a Tornado now, you will not regret it."
Lewis Crawford was also new to the Tornado fleet, he had sailed other cats but never the Tornado. He commented saying "The Tornado is so smooth and manageable even in the high winds. It was so fast downwind."
A big thank you must go to Brightlingsea Sailing Club for running a fantastic event in tricky conditions.
Prizes
Nationals Winner - Grant Piggot and Robby Jon-Garka
Winner of the 6th Race - Grant Piggot and Robby Jon-Garka
Challenge Cup - 11th Place - Richard Thoroughgood and Kevin Lott
1st Foreign Team - Ryan Duffield and Thilo Keller
