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The first chore of the day was therefore to take off the No 2 rigs and set up the No 1's.

What did not change at all was that the 'RMW Marine' team of Rob Greenhalgh, Dan Johnson and Jonny Meers continued on their winning way by taking the first two races of the day in their usual fine style, before - shock horror - they capsized in the third. If that proved they were human, many others must have been more human still, because there was quite a lot of falling over in the gusts as the breeze piped up.

Victor Brellisford, James Fawcett and Dave Smith on 'White Stuff' did a good day's work, taking second places in the first two races, and gratefully accepting a first place when 'RMW Marine' capsized. Jon Bennett, Andy Jeffries and Nick Jerkins hung on well to 'White Stuff', and finished a place behind them in each race, using a complete new No 1 rig to good effect.

The three leading teams realised at that stage their overall places were secure, and opted to leave the rest to fight out the final (sixth) race.

Andy Richards, Andy Fairley and Dave Richards on 'Gul/Harken' led throughout, and even did a lap of honour to get in a little more practice, as they had missed some of races in this event when they were setting up a new rig. Gareth Robinson, James Chalmers and Alistair Clarke sailing 'Onica' were delighted to finish second in this race, to claim fifth overall. 'Base 1', with Dave Hall joining Rob Dulson and Paul Constable after Alec McKinlay had a minor injury, had the misfortune to blow out a nearly new spinnaker, but sailed on without it to take third place, giving them fourth overall.

Round 3 of the UK 18 foot Skiff Grand Prix will be held at Hayling Island Sailing Club next weekend. Everyone will then cross the Channel to Carnac, where there will be eight days of racing for a large fleet, including entries from Australia and the United States.

UK 18 foot Skiff Grand Prix, Round 2, overall:

1 'RMW Marine' Rob Greenhalgh, Dan Johnson and Jonny Meers - 5.7 points
2 'White Stuff' Victor Brellisford, James Fawcett and Dave Smith - 17 points
3 'Computacenter' Jon Bennett, Andy Jeffries and Nick Jerkins - 25.4 points
4 'Base 1' Rob Dulson, Paul Constable and Alec McKinlay/Dave Hall - 41.1 points
5 'Onica' Gareth Ribinson, James Chalmers and Alistair Clarke - 54.7 points
6 'Helly Hansen' Toby Collyer, Stephen Holmewood and Keith Willis - 54.7 points
7 'Gul/Harken' Andy Richards, Andy Fairley and Dave Richards - 80 points
8 'Sports ll' Tim Penfold, Ian Mitchell and Will Penfold - 81.7 points