The first day of the 2011 UK 18 Foot Skiff National Championship was a windy and wild adventure.  Sailing off the beach at Sandbanks, Parkstone Yacht Club and the Watersports Academy teamed up to provide a superb both shore based and on the water race area for the premier event of the UK 18ft Skiff Circuit.  The eight skiff teams assembled on the beach including two new teams competing in their first 18 regatta. 

The UK 18ft Skiff fleet descended on Hayling Island last weekend for the UK National Championships, sponsored by Carbonology and Predator Technology who are providing Headcam footage of the UK series.  There was plenty of sun, but not much wind, however the race team managed to squeeze 7 races with the available breeze providing close tactical skiff racing.  This National Championship represents the 2nd  of three important UK Skiff events before the Mark Foy Trophy takes place in Carnac at the end of June.  Teams were understandably eager to see whether preseason training and improvements had paid off.

The usual suspects quickly showed dominance, but it was a closely fort battle between the top teams .....