Bollé RS300 Grand Prix at Sheffield Viking

by Matt Jenkins on 24 May 2013 Sheffield Viking SC hosted the second round of the Bollé sponsored RS300 Grand Prix event on the 18th – 19th May. Visitors came from far and wide to join three home boats for some great sailing in cracking conditions.

A slightly dodgy forecast for Sunday prompted the race officer to go for four races on the Saturday, with a perfect force two-four blowing straight down the length of the dam.

Bish had a great first beat in race one and held on for the win. Behind, the Viking boats of Keen and Jenkins had a close battle with Jenkins eventually edging ahead on the last lap. High on adrenaline, Bish got overexcited on the second start and had to be called back leaving Jenkins to take the win from Keen. Sparky (Mark Newton) showed some serious pace in his A-rig to take third after a very competitive and closely fought race throughout the fleet.

After a well earned cup of tea, the fleet headed back out for two more back to back races. Sparky was the first casualty, with rudder failure forcing him to pull out before the start. Jenkins lead for most of the race, only to fluff a close cover tack on the last beat, with Bish capitalising to take the bullet. Wood finally got his act together, sailing very well to take third from Keen. Race four and a second rudder failure, this time for Bish whilst leading the first lap. Jenkins moved up the queue and this time made no mistakes on the final beat match race tackathon to hold off Keen. Wood continued his good form with another third.

Sparky demonstrated his boat building skills to piece his rudder back together for Sunday, arriving just in time having spent too long admiring the view over the Pennines. A slightly better than forecast N/ NW force one-two made for some challenging conditions as the fleet headed out for races five and six. Bish bowed out on Sunday to rest his aching joints (and earn some money) to leave Keen and Jenkins to battle it out for the event. Jenkins managed to win Race five to secure the event with Keen finally winning the sixth race and second overall after ordering is own private supply of wind. Wood struggled to master the conditions, whilst Henman and Sparky had an epic A-rig battle, swapping third and fourth in both races. Wood finished a respectable third overall, with the rest of the fleet all tied on 21 points had to separated on count back.

A great weekends sailing was had by all with Viking once again providing great hospitality and bacon sandwiches (thanks to Tim’s dad).

Results of RS 300 Bollé GP at Sheffield Viking

Sail No.	Helm	Club	Race 1	Race 2	Race 3	Race 4	Race 5	Race 6	Total Points	Position
323	Matt Jenkins	Sheffield Viking SC	2	1	2	1	1	(2)	7	1
328	Tim Keen	Sheffield Viking SC	3	2	(4)	2	2	1	10	2
422	Alastair Wood	Bough Beech SC	(6)	4	3	3	5	5	20	3
370	Phil Bishop	Sheffield Viking SC	1	5	1	7	7	(7)	21	4
354	Mark Newton	Thorney Island SC	4	3	7	(7)	4	3	21	5
450	Mark Henman	Sunderland SC	5	(6)	5	4	3	4	21	6