Largo Bay Nationals - Day 1

The Nationals kicked off with sunshine, and a light southerly wind. The morning saw some last minute bimbling in the sunshine, then sails started to appear on boats, and the tension rose before launching. Race officer Gordon McGeorge had briefed the competitors about the course, the sailing area and the all important rocks which are best missed upon returning to shore.

The Committee set a short course, and despite the light conditions got the first race away on time. The wind had moved from 185 degs to 170 degs during the prep phase so the windward mark had to be moved accordingly. Antidote to Panel Games with new owners Chris 'the scrote' Lewns at the helm got a good start towards the favoured left end of the line, and kept the lead for the rest of the race, with Usagi Yojimbo in second, and Shiny Beast close behind. There were a few points where the wind dropped below 5 Kts, and the stopwatch got up to four minutes before the wind picked up again. Further back there was a good battle between the 97 rules boats with places changing at most marks. Will Lee and Beth Barnes in borrowed Born Slippy had a good start and were first of the 97 rules boats to the top mark, very closely followed by Phil and Carol Alderson in Pocket Rocket who then took the lead on the downwind leg. These two swapped positions again up the second beat, but Phil and Carol pulled out over the rest of the second lap to finish first 97 rules boat by a whisker.

The start of the second race was again light and many boats stalled out on the start line, this resulted in chaos at the pin end Riot Van had a coming together with Loco Perro and Antidote, with Antidote getting away. It all sorted it out with with Usagi Yojimbo getting a clear start and holding on to the lead till the end of the race. The Flying Kipper also did well out of the start and were second boat to the windward mark despite not having much sail area, compared to the other boats around them. Antidote to Panel Games were buried at the start and spent the whole race pulling back place after place to finish second. Shiny Beast had a very speedy second lap which got them another third place. In the midfleet there was a small rig battle between The Flying Kipper and The Pasta Frenzy with the Pasta getting ahead on the downwind but being retaken each beat, ending with a close fight to the finish, with kipper just edging ahead.

The Commodore gave a speech welcoming the sailors and introducing the Provost of Fife Frances Melville, who gave a short speech welcoming all the competitors, this was followed by an international buffet, to fill bellies ready for the rest of the evening activities.