Sailing or Swimming at day 4 of RS200 Nationals

by PR on 25 Aug 2007 At the GUL RS200 Nationals, the pre race discussion was whether the wind had abated since yesterday, with the general opinion that conditions would be slightly easier than the Tuesday. The Race Officer saw fit to launch on time and all seemed well as we began our trudge to the starting area. Once out the shelter of the bay however, it became apparent that we were in for a wild day.

With the wind gusting up to a force 6, many competitors decided that it would be a good idea to let the pathfinder do much of the work. The plan nearly worked but for a 10 degree wind shift half way up the beat and a procession of boats streaming in from the left.

First to the windward mark was Nick Charles and Juliet Kingsnorth, disproving the fact that fat is beautiful on a day like today. The usual suspects were all in the mix as the fleet literally took off downwind. Roger Gilbert began to soak down to leeward of the bunch and take an early gybe which resulted in an early bath. No hope for us mortals then as a steady procession of 200’s ended up in the drink.

After slogging it out for three laps, Nick Charles looked to have command of the conditions and the fleet, but the jury decided that it would be fun to make someone do some turns without the assistance of a kite – not that Nick was laughing.

Dave Hivey took the honours, winning the GUL International Race 7 trophy, closely followed but Pickard, Stewart and Charles. The leaders then had a long wait as 100 of the wounded fleet made its way to the finish line.

Most of the fleet would have bought the Race Officer a pint if he had canned the second race of the day, but his masochistic streak made us go through hell again. To be fair the wind abated somewhat for the first lap, but piped up again in time for the rest of the race. Normal service was resumed as Roger Gilbert (minus a swim this time) took the honours, winning the Purple Marine Race 8 trophy, with Nick Charles second and Craig Burlton (yes, remember him) third.

More synchronised swimming took place at the gybe and it was to the credit of the fleet that 92 boats made it to the finish line. Even more remarkable was the turnout at the fancy dress night at the club where Karen Baker (aka Marge Simpson) took the honours for the best dressed gal. Wearily, people succumbed to the night and dreamed of less wind tomorrow.

RS200 - Leading positions

1 Roger Gilbert Jane Willan Frensham Pond SC
2 David Hivey Jane Hivey RYA
3 Nicholas Charles Juliet Kingsnorth Bristol Corinthian YC
4 Richard Edwards Paru Edwards Parkstone YC
5 James Stewart Toby Lewis Stokes Bay SC
6 Lee Sydenham Emma Clarke RYA
7 Ian Pickard Loopie Lucy Bristol Corinthian YC
8 Robbie Burns Vicki Simpson Largs SC
9 Luke Patience Chris Grube Bala SC
10 Ian Martin Ally Martin Burghfield SC
11 Craig Burlton Fiona Clark RYA
12 Dave Derby Emma Derby Bough Beech SC
13 Andrew Peters Jeraldine Peters King & Queen YC
14 Dicken MacLean Nicola Groves Hayling Island SC
15 Michael Saul Sophie Hartley Yorkshire Dales SC
16 Peter Vincent Tessa Nicholls Bristol Corinthian YC
17 Colin Smith Aaron Smith Papercourt SC
18 Ian Dobson Christian Birrell Burwain SC
19 Sam Littlejohn Matt Giles Lancing SC
20 Matthew Jenkins Emma Jenkins Sheffield Viking SC
21 Chris Martin Rach Harrison Burghfield SC
22 David Steed Suzie Procter SRSC
23 Sarah Allan Peter Rowley Littleton SC
24 Stephen Janering Chris O'Neill Wembly SC
25 Micky Wright Katy Nichol Maylandsea Bay SC
26 Eddie Whitehead Noelle Vidal Filey SC
27 Chris Catt Nikki Catt Downs SC
28 Keith Escritt Anne Saul Yorkshire Dales SC
29 Hamish Walker Clare Stubbs Weston SC
30 Rob Janering Marianthe Evangeledis Wembly SC
31 Trudie Fell Karen Baker Bristol Corinthian YC
32 Sue Antonelli Jo Lloyd Littleton SC
33 Russell Collister June Collister Isle of Man Yacht Club
34 Andy Robertson Chris Witty Bowmoor SC
35 Martin English Charlotte Cotter Restronguet SC
36 Paul Rigg Vicky Fairhurst Burghfield SC
37 George Yeoman Georgie Akin-Smith Itchenor SC
38 Rob Martin Jan Martin Burghfield SC
39 Jeremy Stephens Rebecca Knee Penzance SC
40 Sarah Taylor Lucy Matthews Locks SC
41 Simon Gillow Emma Harniman Wembly SC
42 Steve Wilson Ash Davison Hayling Island SC
43 Katrina Gilbert Jenny Rust Frensham Pond SC
44 Thomas Winskell Alex Pickles Royal Navy Sailing Association
45 Stephen Graham Danielle Graham Burwain SC
46 Gareth Robinson Willow Holland Littleton SC
47 Rob Struckett Eloise Hansen Itchenor SC
48 Richard Neall Sara Terry Itchenor SC
49 Nikki Russell David Royse Oxford SC
50 Mike Chapman Lynne Ratcliffe Bough Beech SC & Bexhill SC