RS400 Nationals are part of the RS Games being held at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA) from 15th to 26th August 2011. WPNSA welcomed a bumper turnout of 82 RS400s.
Day two: A light breeze of six to eight knots greeted the fleet as they sailed out to Weymouth bay for a three-race day. Race one started as a pathfinder benefit for Bleddy and Dyfrig Mon before a large proportion of the fleet managed to over stand the first mark. Still at the head of the fleet though were overnight leaders Nick Craig/Fiona Clark, who were followed home by Mike Hart/Sally Kilpatrick and Peter Snowden/James Penty (dubiously of the silver fleet!). Bronze fleet winners were Simon Palmer and Oliver Taylor.
Race two started in slightly more breeze and this time Craig/Clark were being chased hard by Stewart and Sarah Robertson, who managed to hold on for the runners up spot from Wayne and Deb Fletcher. Rob and Jan Martin took the silver fleet prize, Bob and Amanda Portway the bronze fleet.
For race three, the wind increased to 15 knots, which caused the fleet to spread out. After the first gate start was recalled, the race was led from start to finish by Lee Sydenham/Gerrard Barron, despite breaking their mainsheet blocks. Fortunately for them it was only a hundred yards from the finish and they had earned enough of a gap to prevent it being costly! Craig/Clark pulled through at the very end to overtake Paul Hilliar/Sam Parker. Tim Garvin and Louise Hosken won the silver fleet and Stephen Jones/Anne Dwyer the bronze fleet.
This leaves Craig/Clark in an extremely strong position of four firsts and a second place, with James Downer/Jon Price having an extremely consistent series to be the nearest challengers.
On the social side, the RS Games has been really delivering. With nine classes having their national championships (Magic Marine World champs for the RS500s) staggered over a twelve-day period, there are always several hundred sailors out on the water. Races are being held in both Portland harbor and out in the bay, then in the evening the socials are combined, giving a real ‘RS family’ feel. In the evening, the Black Tie Mount Gay championship ball, combined with the prize giving for the RS800s/RS100s and a band was superb.
Day three: Saturday was postponed due to lack of wind. This conveniently allowed the Association to hold their AGM while the rain passed. We were finally released at 13:30 in to glorious sunshine and a five to seven knot breeze from the south east. The race started with the pathfinder sailing in to a slight header giving favour to those who started early. The wind then returned to favour those who started late. Bleddyn and Dyfrig in 893 and the Princes in 1055 took full advantage rounding the windward mark in first and second place. The long and soaking run saw many place changes across the entire fleet and allowed Nick Craig to take first place. The second upwind leg gave favour to Wayne and Debbie Fletcher who were third at the upwind mark. The final downwind leg was mainly a procession for the fleet although Howard and Dan in 1251 gybed early to find more breeze and climb their way back through the fleet to finish 15th.
Peter Snowden and James Penty finished in 11th place confirming their place as Silver Fleet Leaders and Ivan Burden and Chris Cowan in 24th lead the bronze fleet.
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