DeWalt Scorpion National Championship at Eastbourne Sovereign Sailing Club - Day 4

A great morning greeted sailors and volunteers at the 2023 DeWalt Scorpion National Championship at Eastbourne Sovereign Sailing Club.

With well over half the races already having taken place it was with some relief that light wind and sunny blue skies was going to be the order of the day for Wednesday's races.

Race seven

After a short delay for a stable breeze, race 7 got under way in 6-8 breeze. Dan Henderson and Amy Clay in Fifty Shades of Gray heading around the top mark in first position, a slight discussion about sausage or triangle in the boat left them off on a reach only to see the next two boat head down the run. They got back up to second but were unable to catch Alan Krailing and Simon Forbes in Mrs Bears Boat who went on to the winning streak again. Pete Gray and Richard Pepperdine came in a good third.

DeWALT Scorpion Nationals at Eastbourne Day 4 - photo © Ben / Send It Media

Race eight

The race team were great and allowed the sailors have a quick break whist they tweaked the course before starting race 8. The race was a big go right day (again) and this time youth managed to get out in front and a new race winner for the week was found. Well done to Ollie Meadowcroft and Oliver Rayner from the lovely sailing club of the Yorkshire Dales who took line honours. Sam Pascoe and Sam Barker came home second in Sam Squared. Matt Burge and Robert Gardner popped in another consistent result, coming in third.

DeWALT Scorpion Nationals at Eastbourne Day 4 - photo © Ben / Send It Media

The crews race started shortly after race 8 and a fleet bigger than some classes Championship fleets got under way with a short triangle sausage course. It was a super competitive, fun race, with plenty of noise out on the water. Many crews found getting the right approach for the windward mark a challenge, with Richard Mason and daughter Samantha managing to stay hooked by their rudder on the windward mark for a good 5 or 6 minutes just checking the mark was anchored well. The top three were away and gone and finished in the order Rob Henderson and Alex Hayman in Wrecking Ball first, Sam Baker and Sam Pascoe second with Oliver Rayner and Olllie Meadowcroft third.

With one day to go, and touch and go if the fleet will sail with a very light forecast, Alan and Simon lead with a 3 point advantage over Tom and Rachael with Sam and Sam another 2 points back and the second discard for the week kicking in on race 9. It's all to play for with less tide and even more sunny weather planned.

The fleet enjoyed another meal last night at Eastbourne Sovereign Sailing Club followed by Human Hungry Hippos! Many thanks again to our sponsors DeWALT and CraftInsure, and a huge shout out to Nigel Potter and Jake Willars from Paintcraft who have been going the absolute extra mile to fix several breakages, getting them ready to be out on the water the next day.

Results after Day 4:

Find out more at sailscorpion.co.uk/scorpion-national-championships-2023.html