Magic Marine RS800 Grand Prix Event Number Two – Day 1

RS800Stokes - Fleet Tim Olin

RS800Stokes - Roger Phillips and Will Crocker © Tim Olin

Race two got underway, with Roger and Will getting the start right first time and that was the end of that. Hugh Shone and Hannah Tattersall were second, with Tim Saxton and new lightweight crew Fiona Hampshire in third.

Race three was a close fought battle for the top five with plenty of positions changing on each leg. On the final downwind Phil and John had squeaked round the top mark in first with the pack close behind before disaster struck! John's trapeze adjuster broke. This had him flying out the back of the boat and cheese wiring Phil's ankles with the kite sheet. David and Louise Steed changed course numerous times to try and hit John (as payback for a cheeky move last race) but fortunately John is quite good at swimming and was too fast for them. Tim and Fiona went on to take the win, with David and Louise in second, and Roger and Will in third.

RS800Stokes - Downwind © Tim Olin

Saturday night involved a pub quiz and (for some) a little too much rum / gin / beer / whatever was in that jug!

Sunday dawned with an eight – twelve kt offshore breeze. Race one was very shifty and Tim and Fiona got their nose ahead and played the shifts right all race to take the bullet. David and Louise were hot on their heels in second, with Roger and Will (consistent as ever) in third.

RS800Stokes - Tim Saxton and Fiona Hampshire © Tim Olin

Race two, the breeze had built a little and a big right shift at the start, meant those that had a good start out of the starboard end and held a lane were on the long tack pretty much all the way to the top mark. After dodging a few B14s at the leeward mark Roger and Will claimed the victory with Phil and John in second, and Hannah and Hugh in third.

RS800Stokes - Busy mark rounding © Tim Olin

Race third, the breeze was probably up to 15 kts in the gusts now so there were big boat speed differences across the course for those in the gusts. Andy and Allyson Jeffries sailed a great race before they were robbed of victory by Phil and John at the final mark who found a cheeky gust on the bottom left (sorry guys!)

All in all, a great weekend of racing. Thanks go to Stokes Bay Sailing Club for their hospitality, Dan Vincent for his excellent pub quiz, the caterers for the good food, and the bar staff on Saturday night who kept us going till the early hours!

Next event Eastbourne in two weekend’s time 9-10 May.

Results: