Seven Mercurys sailed with two brand new crews out of RYC, Charlie Mckenzie, new to Mercury Class and Dan Brandt, the RYC sailing coach. The 2019 Mercury Nationals at RYC is creating significant buzz in that very active small boat sailing club as these new competitors evidence.

The racing, though, amounted to all Scott Easom all the time: four first places in four races. He was challenged occasionally, and admits to getting lucky once in climbing out of the pack in the third race, but he’s proven very tough to beat on RYC’s Southampton course. Four races in building breeze - 1st race in a spotty 4-7 knots, last race in 14 - 17k. Lumpy water but little rain. Two day series (December and March because Jan and Feb were canceled) ends with Scott Easom in a dominating first, Dave West in a marginal second and Lyn Hines in third, with Dan Brandt sailing in his boat and therefore on his behalf on Sunday.

Race report by Lyn Hines