Noble Marine Rooster RS400 National Championships at East Lothian Yacht Club - Day 3

Wow as days on the water go, day 3 of the RS400 Nationals can only be described as "WACKY RACING" and quite probably the thing of race officers' nightmares.

The day started with a solid 12 kts of breeze from the NW and after a lovely sail from shore the fleet lined up for race 1, much as we had the day's proceeding, that's when it all changed.

Eager to get racing the fleet pushed over the line leading to general recall 1. The fleet once again lined up and once again the fleet was recalled.

At this point the sea breeze started to kick in and, just as discussed at the tack ticks talk, it continued to veer around a full 180 deg to the east before stabilising.

2022 Noble Marine Rooster RS400 National Championships, day 3 - photo © Steve Fraser

After a lengthy postponement, the fleet once again lined up in a solid 10 kts of see breeze this time in the shadow of Bass Rock! This turned out to be general recall 3 of the day.

Finally, we got a race away cleanly on a race course that was covered in wind holes but this provided close tactical if not at times frustrating racing with even the very best sailors wondering into patches of almost now wind.

2022 Noble Marine Rooster RS400 National Championships, day 3 - photo © Steve Fraser

As a result, the racing was close and at the leeward mark roundings sometimes too close with shouts echoing over the water, "Windward", "starboard", "water", "overlap".... Often I think from the same boats as boats arrived at the same time from every conceivable angle.

The racing was close at the top of the fleet and the leaders of the regatta changed for the first time this week. So great sailing from Chris and Rachel in 1528.

Following two races the RO signalled a third was on the cards before the sea breeze turned off like a switch, leaving most of the fleet stranded.

A huge thank you to the ELYC RIB crews for towing in many after a very long and difficult day on the water and to the amazing beech team for helping to drag the boats through the sand; such a wonderful sight to be greeted by.

What better way to finish a day like that with a lively AGM... I wonder what Day 4 will hold in store?

Results after day 3:

2022 Noble Marine Rooster RS400 National Championships, day 3 - photo © Steve Fraser