RS200 National Championship – Runners and riders

by Sally Campbell on 27 Jul 2015 As the last day of online entry for the Volvo Noble Marine RS200 National Championships dawns today 27th July, here are the runners and riders, in topical style, thanks to Lucy Preston.

Ben Ainslie – Ben Ainslie Racing
Matt Mee and Emma Norris
After a dominant season and stonking nationals’ victory in 2013, Matt and Emma have struggled to retain their form. Hungry to regain their title, Matt and Emma are keen to fight in familiar waters and take back what is rightly theirs.

David “Freddie” Carr – Ben Ainslie Racing
George Yeoman and Sophie Ormsby
Arguably the guns in the fleet, George and Sophie have an edge in breeze and in their home turf at Itchenor. Big personalities who do not shy away from social media, George and Sophie will let you know when they’ve bothered going to the gym (or on holiday)… but will these blatant intimidation tactics work to their advantage or will we see through their peacocking?

Ian “Goobs” Jensen – Team Artemis
Ally Martin and Simon Potts
Although we are more familiar seeing Ally in the front of the boat, this year she’s mainly been steering (blink at a mark rounding and they’ll have swapped roles). Ally and Pottsy have teamed up in love and now in war and have shown some incredible form on the racetrack. Will they bring home the title?

Peter Burling – Emirates Team New Zealand
James Peters and Jo Wright
The young gun on the 49er course, James has turfed out dominant force and coach Ian Martin (Dean Barker) to try and win a title he once held. Bringing in an athletic force to the front of the boat, will the fact that James’ job is literally to sail a boat and Jo is a hiking weapon be the key to their victory?

Giles Scott – Ben Ainslie Racing
Hamish Walker and Emma Hivey
Much like Giles, Hamish and Emma have leverage on their side and are usually referred to as the gentle giants of the 200 fleet. When they’re not out protecting our nation, they grace the 200 fleet with their imposing presence at the nationals. Out of practice, they may be, but they put in a damn good show when it counts. Let’s see if this is their year…

Nathan Outteridge – Team Artemis
Chris Catt and Roz McGrane
Chris and Mrs McG teamed up at the beginning of this season and have been demonstrating some impressive results, smashing in some convincing wins at national circuit events and a win at the Europeans. However, of late they have been struggling to regain this edge. Will the pressure of the nationals and a new vessel bring back their previous form?

Iain Percy – Team Artemis
Mark Heather and Lucy Preston
This sure ain’t Mark’s and Lucy’s first rodeo, they’ve been doing this for a while. Having teamed up at the end of last year, they have been showing the fleet how it’s done downwind. Although showing some impressive consistency at the front of the fleet and holding off the big dogs in some breeze, that all important victory has been out of their grasp. Is this year finally theirs?

Honourable mention goes to…

Frances Peters and Claire Lasko – one of the best female helms in the country has teamed up with her previous ISAF World’s winning crew in a brand new ship. Will this be a dominating combination?

Tom Hewitson and Lucy Hewitson – check out the plaque on the nationals’ trophy and there you’ll see Tom Hewitson’s name, in the glory days of the 200. With some serious pedigree in the boat, including new recruit, his daughter Lucy, will this be a winning combination?

Joshua Metcalfe and Millie Alcock – get to a windward mark in the top three in some breeze and you can bet Josh is there. Showing an aptitude for putting solid results in under pressure, will quiet consistency be the key?

Edd Whitehead and Kate Allam – we all know that Edd can smash the boat around the course when the breeze picks up, but at an all or nothing venue and with a new crew, is this going to be his stage for the win?