As the GP14 British Nationals moves into its final day today, the fallout from Black Flag Monday continued with many seeking and getting redress for leeward caught BFD, as the pin boat was not anchored writes Andy Johnston
On the racing side yesterday plenty of windshifts at start resulted in big winners and losers as boats got on the wrong side of the course. The biggest movers from an Irish perspective were Sutton Dinghy Clubs Hugh Gill & Conor Twohig and Lough Foyles Bill & James Johnson. The Sutton Dinghy Club duo have moved up another 2 places to 15th, while a superb 9 & 10 in todays racing saw the Johnson father and son pairing charge up to 18th and are now leading the Silver fleet. This is a great performance from these Irish fleet regulars.
Former Champions Mike Senior and Ian Dobson remain 1st and 2nd and will surely fight it out for the title. Despite an 18 point gap between 2nd and 3rd, a good result tomorrow and the second discard could bring Fergus Barnham back into the reckoning.
Current World Champion and defending British Champions Shane MacCarthy & Andy Thompson (Greystones) retain 4th place, but before second discard are now only 2 points behind Fergus Barnham in 3rd. The Irish pair realistically need some very good results and for the GP14 Leinsters & Volvo DLR winner Barnham to have a poor day. This will be a battle tomorrow for sure.
Other results saw Donal & John McGuinness (Moville) slip to 8th while consistency keeps Keith Louden & Alan Thomson in 10th. A 7 today in race 6 helping Curly Morris & Laura Farland up into 14th.
The Newtownards pairing of Michael Cox & Rebecca Jeffrey posted their best results of the event with a pair of 11's to move to 28th.
Midfleet results saw the Gallagher brothers and Peter & Stephen Boyle drop a few places after great day on Tuesday.
Helming in his first Championship and gaining invaluable experience, Newtownards Josh Porter with Sarah Coleman lie 43rd.