No. 188 holds the early advantage at the 2026 Mermaid National Championship after a tactical opening day at Rush Sailing Club, where shifty 10–15 knot winds tested a fleet of 19 boats across two closely contested races.
Large wind shifts across the course rewarded accurate decision-making as much as outright speed, leaving the championship finely balanced after the opening day.
No. 188 made the ideal start to the regatta by winning the opening race from start to finish. After a clean getaway, they rounded the first windward mark in front and controlled the race to the finish.
Message (185) secured second place, while Vee (123) completed the top three after a close contest behind the leaders.
Close Quarters – Mermaid crews battle for position during the opening races of the 2026 National Championship at Rush Sailing Club. No. 188 emerged as the overnight leader. Photo: Derek Balfe
The second race presented an even greater tactical challenge. A general recall delayed the start before the fleet eventually got away in the same moderate breeze.
Three Chevrons (119) judged the shifting conditions best, rounding the first windward mark in the lead before holding off sustained pressure to take victory.
Championship leaders No. 188 finished second to strengthen their overall position, while Wild Wind (131) claimed third place.
After two races, No. 188 leads the championship on three points with a first and second place finish.
Message (185) is second overall on nine points. Vee (123) and Jill (134) share third place on 10 points, while Three Chevrons (119) moves into fifth on 11 points following its race victory.
With further unsettled conditions forecast, the championship remains wide open heading into day two, where consistency is expected to remain the deciding factor.
