Nationals entries look down this year, but there is certainly no lack of quality in the fleet. Grabbing a top 10 hat is going to be tougher than ever this year.
Here is Yurv's form guide for the Llandudno Albacore Nationals.
Barney Harris & Dave Byron
Last year's Nationals winners. It would take a brave man to bet against them, They won the recent Royal Canadian YC regatta, but only scoring two bullets shows there could be chinks in the otherwise impregnable armour.
Mike McNamara & Flip Foulds
Multiple International and National Albacore Champion and current Wayfarer World Champion.
If you want to find Mike, you can always find him on the lifted tack. With prevaling winds being offshore and shifty - follow that red boat.
Judy & Paul Armstrong
With wins at the Inlands, South Cerney and Scottish Championships Judy is on form and looking for a Nationals win to add to her collection.
Nev Herbert & Mark Fowler
With one Natinals title to his name, Nev is chasing his father's track record. The new wood decked boat is showing some good pace, but the new fit out has suffered some gear failure in the early regattas. Hopefully they will have ironed out the gremlins before Llandudno. They were quick at Hamble despite developing a penchant for swimming.
Rob Lyne & Peter Grey
Rob & Peter have shown pace in borrowed boats in past nationals, This will be the first national in their all new Allen rigged boat. Gear failure at Hamble meant they could not complete the event but posted a solid 4th place in the first race on the boat's first outing.
Tom Gillard & Andy Elliot
With no known form in the Albacore, but plenty of form in other classes including being current Fireball Inland Champion and Grafham Grand Prix winner expect some pace. Tom is currently lying in first place at the Fireball worlds in Sligo and with Andy Elliot on board we can expect to see this pairing near the front in their first Albacore Championship.
John & Paul Gimson
John has numerous national and european championship wins under his belt and is currently sailing a Star in the Team GBR Olympic performance squad. Wining the Southern Championships on his first outing with father Paul in the front, shows that this is a boat to watch. They demonstrated good speed at Hamble especially downwind, not finishing outside the top two.
Jerry Rook
Only gear failure at Lyme last year prevented the Rookster finishing in the top 5. Expect consistency once again this year.
Norman Halstead
Another consistent performer with blistering downwind pace especially in the lighter stuff. Expect to see Stormin Norman near the front especially if the conditions are anything other than stormin.
Other Boats to watch.
Phil Smith: With past champion crew Steve Graham in the sharp end of a new boat, we are going to see Phil posting some single digit results.
Colin Waters. John Herbert: Both past champions in the 60s&70s but still showing us all how to sail an Albacore quickly.
Matthew Metcalf-Smith: Some solid results in the big winter handicap events from this Alb Junior. He gets Yurv's vote for most improved in the fleet.
Good Sailing
Yurv.
