RMW Marine secured the national championship for the third consecutive time in Portland Harbour today (Sunday), sailed by Rob Greenhalgh, Jonny Meers and, on this occasion, Chris Cleary. Races 5, 6 and 7 were sailed after a delay of an hour and a half due to poor visibility, and RMW Marine won the first two of these to clinch the championship.

Victor Brellisford, James Fawcett and Dave Smith on White Stuff made a strong comeback on this, the third and final day, with fourth, second and first places to claim second overall, displacing Andy Richards, Andy Fairley and Dave Richards on Radii. Martin Goodlad, John Aikman and Roy Goodlad, making a welcome return to the class on Ovington Boats, finished fourth overall.

Jon Bennett, Andy Jeffries and Nick Jerkins on Computacenter saw the chance of a top three position blown away by further spinnaker halyard problems. A cleat failure yesterday allowed the chute to come down when they least wanted it to, and the same problem with the replaced item lost them two good positions today, dropping them to fifth overall. Jarrod Simpson, Simon Nearn and Grant Rollason on Ernst & Young had two second places today, but then they too had a gear problem in the final race to spoil their day, leaving them in sixth position overall.

Despite the initial delay, the day’s racing was thoroughly enjoyable. Races 5 and 6 were sailed in a south south-westerly averaging 15 knots, giving high speeds under No 1 rigs. The wind eased down to 10 knots for the final race, with the visibility gradually improving and the sun eventually making a welcome appearance after three days of gloomy conditions.

This has been a fine championship series, contested by 18 boats – the largest fleet of 18 foot Skiffs ever to have raced in the UK.

The series counts towards world ranking points, and consolidates the lead that ‘RMW Marine’ has held since last year’s UK national championship. The next ranking event will be held in San Francisco at the beginning of September.

Overall Results

1. ‘RMW Marine’ Rob Greenhalgh, Chris Cleary and Jonny Meers 3 points

2. ‘White Stuff’ Victor Brellisford, James Fawcett and Dave Smith 32.7 points

3. ‘Radii’ Andy Richards, Andy Fairley and Dave Richards, 44.1 points

4. ‘Ovington Boats’ Martin Goodlad, John Aikman and Roy Goodlad 51.7 points

5. ‘Computacenter’ Jon Bennett, Andy Jeffries and Nick Jerkins 55.4 points

6. ‘Ernst & Young’ Jarrod Simpson, Simon Nearn and Grant Rollason 63.1 points

7. ‘Base 1’ Rob Dulson, Paul Constable and Drum Sydenham 64 points

8. ‘Total Recall’ Ollie Holden, Ben Clothier and Will Clothier 77.7 points

9. ‘Helly Hansen’ Toby Collyer, Stephen Holmewood and Simon Rosier 80 points

10. ‘Bristol Panel Formers’ Dominic Bowns, Richard Edwards and Tom Edwards 97 points