Humphreys wins Weston RS700 Open

by RS media on 16 Sep 2008 With zero wind forecast the majority of the fleet looked out of the window and took the option of staying at home. This is always disappointing for the club who had gone to some lengths to lay on a great event, but is symptomatic of a season which has not been blessed with the greatest of weather.

Those who made the trip were disappointed to find that the forecast was 100% accurate with Southampton water resembling a mill pond and all racing cancelled. Sunday dawned with a marginal breeze blowing offshore. Not very promising but some very slick race management allowed four races to be banged out in short order.

It may have seemed like a lottery at times but with a combination of conservative tactics and slick tacks, Matt Humphreys was a deserved victor with three race wins. The racing was however close with nobody ever looking secure in their position with a short lapse in concentration often resulting in a missed opportunity.

Thanks go to the club for laying on what would have been a great event if the weather gods had played ball and to Fat Faces continuing support of the RS700 Circuit. The action moves on to Grafham in three weeks time for the Inland Championship. See you there.

Duckhams award to ‘Ralph’ for a perfect windless windward capsize at the last mark of the last race. Classic!

RS700 - Final results

1 808 Matt Humphreys 1 (2) 1 1 5 3 pts
2 769 Rob Jones Weston 2 (3) 2 2 9 6 pts
3 960 Ian Nolan Hunstanton (4) 1 3 3 11 7 pts
4 66 J Ross Weston 3 (4) 4 4 15 11 pts
5 958 Ralph Drew Weston 5 5 5 (6) 21 15 pts