A total of 240 boats representing 17 schools sailing associations have descended on Grafham Water for the 2005 National Schools Sailing Association (NSSA) regatta this week.

Apart from a few competitors who lacked the necessary confidence for the Force 5-6 for the first races, those who did take to the water were treated to fast and close racing in five fleets (Lasers, Laser Radials, Toppers and a fast and slow handicap) on four trapezoid courses spread across the 1,600 acre lake. There were three races in each fleet today, with a total of 10 races to be sailed throughout the week

In the slow handicap fleet Laser 4.7s dominated and had five in the top six places with David Ashworth (Cambridgeshire) winning on handicap in both races 1 and 3. Similarly, the fast handicap fleet was dominated by 29ers and Phil Turnbull/Preston Taylor (Kent) won both races 1 and 2.

In the 58-boat Laser Radial fleet Tom Dawber (Lancashire) scored 2,1,2 and Robert Waite (Kent) 1,2,4 with Grafham sailor Ben Longstaff (Cambridgeshire) scoring 5,3,3. Tim Ellis (Kent) scored 3,DNC,1 and will be a force to be reckoned with after Tuesday when discards kick in.

Richard Valentine (Milton Keynes) dominated the 25 Laser full rigs winning each of the three races but David Brooks (Lancashire) was chasing hard with 2,2,2 and Will Espiner (Milton Keynes) not far behind with 3,3,4.

In the largest fleet, the Toppers with 86 boats, Matthew Undrell (Milton Keynes) also won each of the three races and maintained a slightly larger margin over his challengers with Pete Sands (Oxford) second with 2,6,4 and Adam Larvin (Yorkshire) third with 7,3,6.

Results (provisional after 3 races)

Slow Handicap

1. David Ashworth – Cambs – Laser 4.7 – 1,2,1 – 4pts

2. Erik Else – Derbyshire – Laser 4.7 – 5,6,4 – 15pts

3. Tom Taylor – Cambs – Laser 4.7 – 3,1,14 – 18pts

Fast Handicap

1. Paul Turnhill/Preston Taylor – Kent – 29er – 1,1,3 – 5pts

2. Greg hall/Dicken McLean – Surrey – 29er – 3,5,1, – 9pts

3. Hannah Tattersall/John Mather – Surrey – 29er – 5,3,2 – 10pts

Lasers

1. Richard Valentine – Milton Keynes – 1,1,1 – 3pts

2. David Brookes – Lancashire – 2,2,2 – 6pts

3. Will Espiner – Milton Keynes – 3,3,4 – 10pts

Laser Radials

1. Tom Dawber – Lancashire – 2,1,2 – 5pts

2. Robert waite – Kent – 1,2,4 – 7pts

3. Ben Longstaff – Cambs – 5,3,3 – 11pts

Toppers

1. Mattew Undrell – Milton Keynes – 1,1,1 – 3pts

2. Pete Sands – Oxford – 2,6,4 – 12pts

3. Adam Larvin – Yorkshire – 7,3,6 – 16pts