Keep up-to-date with all the news as it happens in Weymouth and Partland and follow the racing on the event blog & live tracking at:
http://www.sailracer.us/eventsites/?eventid=100
You can also follow the event on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/YouthNationals
... And for latest news on our Welsh competitiors - Iwan's blog will be posted here daily.
Friday am 9th April - Day 5
We await the breeze no wind this morning and around an early afternoon cut off for the event...
A long day yesterday as the fleets launched around 13:00 in around 6-8 knots of shifty Westerly breeze. A full complement of racing was achieved for all fleets except the Standards and Spitfires who failed to get away on two starts around 6pm meant the race officer decided he had had enough for the day and sent them in as the 420’s finished their third. (The sail in takes an hour!)
Bleddyn now in fourth after a day he would care to forget about... but is still well within the leaders range and is only a few points off second and third. Similar for the 29er boys, who closed again yesterday on 2nd and 3rd overall – this is very open if we go racing! Whilst out on the yellow course area another good day for Eifion see’s him go in to the final day with a small lead over his closest rivals.
The question...will it happen for Bleddyn and Collinson. More news later...
There’s a beach master quiz taking place now to keep us entertained in the sun. The weather men say, if the cloud burns off in time we should see a sea breeze by lunchtime! Fingers crossed!
Wednesday pm 7th April - Day 3
More Sun, NW Shifty breeze, a day for sensible decisions and managing risk as the Mon Brothers strengthen their positions... Another 3 good races were held in breeze shifting through 10 – 20 degrees on a regular basis, with hydration and sun cream being an essential. (Except for Nick – who looks a little like a tomato today!)
On the 29er course, Collinson & Watson move up with 2 race wins under their belt and now in 5th overall; 3 points away from 3rd – all very close just behind the leaders.
On the Radial course now in Gold and Silver some strong results, not least by Bleddyn who has taken an mid week grip.
Mon comments: “It was a lot tighter today now that we’ve started the gold series and if you didn’t get a good start then you got punished for it. I knew going into the day I needed to just get consistent results as it’s the start of a new series in a way, and not drop any big point but a 2,2,1 is pretty good so I’m really happy with that.”
“Tomorrow I’m going to try and keep consistent again so I can get some solid results in the bag – put some more pressure on the other sailors!”
Out on the yellow course the 420’s continue to battle in the middle as they try and find the same pace off the line which the leaders are demonstrating. On the Standard course it was Eifion Mon who has stepped up a gear taking the overall lead, still showing blistering downwind pace in the lighter breeze. Stevie Beckett continues his fight to top the youth flight with mixed days results. 2 days to go.
Thursday, promises to be light, fickle, hot and sunny. Possibly a long day ashore and afloat ahead! Right I’m off to doll out the sun cream to Nick, - the sailors – no problem...
Wednesday am 7th April - Day 3
Wednesday! Bright Skies, 12 knots NW – this means a much more shifty flat water day out in the bay! Shore side HRH Princess Ann is visiting and will be out to see the racing later or something like that... Everyone smile! (Ably escorted by the WYA Chairman of course...)
Tuesday 6th April - Day 2
16 Knots, and reports of 1.5m – 2.0m swell in the bay, Tuesday began with memories of Mondays breeze firmly in mind. The weather forecasts were consistent it was all going to be all good by lunch time, a few doubts lingered around the compound....
Spot on, most classes began racing in 8 – 12 knots of breeze, bright sunshine, and an offset swell providing the challenge! Stunning day with big gains downwind for those getting the best out of the waves and angles!!
Another solid day for the Welsh, with Collinson in the 29er improving on Mondays performance and climbing to 6th. On the Radial course 11 of the 16 made Gold fleet with the first time radial sailors just missing out with much improved lighter wind performances.
After the split into Gold and Silver, both Hannah and Bleddyn are in the hunt, but carry points deficits to the leaders Cameron and Sophie who both had a very good day: Wednesday will a lot tougher in the Gold fleet for all, an opportunity to consistent good decision making.
Out on the Yellow course, the Laser Standard racing began today, with Wales’s Eifion Mon tied for the lead on the Under 21’s and Stevie Becket leading the Youth contingent –but a long way to go... The 3 420’s all had a far more enjoyable day each scoring a good race, but are learning all the time how to sail the boats in these conditions to get closer to the pace at the front!
Monday 5th April
Big Day in Weymouth – plenty of broken equipment from the 420 course being sorted this evening as racing took place in Champagne sunshine and 20 knots of breeze for most of the day.
Solid start from the Welsh – especially on Laser and 29er courses, with broken kit and capsizing plaguing the 420 course which only managed the 2 races! check it out!
We’re all off home to wash the salt out of our hair! Looks like another breezy day tomorrow, the compound emptied quickly tonight as the sailors rushed to get food, liquid and rest this evening in readiness.
Just hope the sun stays with us! Iwan
Image information: Bleddyn Mon credit Paul Wyeth / RYA