The second day’s racing at the Laser 4000 national championship at the Weymouth & Portland Sailing Academy took place yesterday (Monday 12 August).

The first race of the day started in glorious sunshine and a shifty Force 2-3. The start line was highly biased towards the pin end, which created problems for a number of competitors. Hugh and Helen Watson got away cleanly, emerging from the pack to reach the first mark with a comfortable lead. Hugh was followed by four of the usual suspects. The leading pack were too engrossed in their own battle to notice Iwan Baston and Ollie Green in Hyder Consulting taking advantage of a major shift on the last beat, this catapulted them into second position and upset the status quo.

Rob Hooker and Andy Marshall in Yachting Life led race two from the start until yards from the finish line when Luke McEwen and Emma Evans in Printware gybed the correct side of the final wind shift. Andy and Katie Shorrock who out manoeuvred fellow masters Hugh and Helen Watson to record their best result of the championships thus far took the remaining podium position. With competitive tension rising the fleet was a bit keen to get going for race three and consequently 10 boats were over the line and off home for an early shower.

At the second attempt, Jason Kirk and Scott Dawson in Frijj proved themselves to be quick up-wind, however, equal lack of pace downwind meant that Luke and Emma passed them on the run to take the lead and the race win. Scottish lady helmsman, Gemma Frier, sailed a good race to finish in the top ten as did Alistair Hodgson and Kevin Reed in Robson Rhodes. Jamie McEwen and Jo Sutcliffe sailed an average race to finish 25th.