First day of the 505 Class 2026 Pre-World Regatta and UK National Championships at Hayling Island SC.
When the wind finally kicked-in around midday it was a classic 10 to 15 knots from the SW, providing the 70 crews with three excellent races in Hayling Bay.
Howie Hamlin and Andy Zinn of the USA wasted no time in announcing their presence, taking the first two race wins and a second for an 11 pts lead.
In second are Mike Holt and Carl Smit of the USA, an 8, 2, 5, leaving them tied on 15 pts with Britain’s Roger Gilbert and Ian Mitchell.
Keeping it tight, Malcolm Higgins and Nicholas Johnston of Australia won the final race to tie with Britain’s Mike Sims and Carl Gibbon on 16 pts.
Leading the chasing pack in 6th are Ian Pinnell and Robert Woeful tied on 23 pts with Harvey Hillary and Archie Massey.
This is a two day UK National Championship/Warm-up event, so everything will be concluded Saturday.
The 90+ competitors will then start the 505 World Championship on Monday 6 thro 11 July.
505 UK National Championship 2026
Leaders after 3 races (74 entries)
