The 18 foot Skiff sailors faced difficult conditions in Hayling Bay yesterday afternoon (Saturday 11 August), when the main problem was not the strength of the wind, but an absolutely fiendish chop. Travelling at very high speeds, the boats were frequently tripped by the nasty seas, and a good deal of swimming resulted.

The first race was won by the series leader, ‘RMW Marine’, sailed by Rob Greehalgh (who, along with his brother Peter, won the Prince of Wales Cup last Thursday to take the International 14 national championship), Dan Johnson and Jonny Meers. Victor Brellisford, James Fawcett and Dave Smith on ‘White Stuff’ led at the first mark, before being overtaken by ‘RMW Marine’ on the downwind leg, but then managed to stay in fairly close touch throughout the race. Martin Goodlad, John Aikman and Roy Goodlad were the only other team to master the difficult conditions.