Miracle National Championship at Netley Sailing Club - Day 3

Miracle Nationals at Netley day 3 © Alex Parker

Miracle Nationals at Netley day 3 © Alex Parker

Drizzle and a breeze from the North West blowing down Southampton water set the scene for races 4 and 5.

Tide was more of a factor today, but despite the flood the fleet got clean away with the port side favoured and Dave Butler / Ross Fleming clean away into the lead. There was some tight racing on the final short beat for sixth place with Paul and Nathan Robinson just pipping both Graham and Helen and Brian and Abbey.

With the wind veered slightly and the tide now flowing out factors were slightly different for the next race with lots of boats struggling to find good boat speed as they plugged up the beat against the tide. The Mifuds from Malta were first at both the windward and wing marks but then failed to take full account of the tide and lost out to Tracy Amos and Hannah Mumford who led to the finish. Miracle 124 "Hot Dog", the oldest boat in the fleet crewed by Steve and either Laura or Pauline Fischer continues to score consistently with a 12th, two 13ths, a 14th and an 11th.

The second Youth and Juniors race took place in miserable conditions with both the Robinson boats leading at the start but the Maltese boat coming through to win and Hannah and Ellen fourth.

Miracle Nationals at Netley day 3 - photo © Alex Parker

Halfway through the championships it's Dave Butler and Ross Fleming leading Andrew and Michaela Mifsud with equal points,then Tracy Amos and Hannah Mumford just two points behind.

Wednesday promises a good blow.

Results after Day 3: