Win for oldest at RS300 Northern Traveller

by RS media on 30 Aug 2007
The fourth RS300 Northern Traveller of 2007 event was held at Sunderland Yacht Club as part of their Evolution sponsored Regatta. After a little bit of interest shown in the oldest 300 at the event (306), the five RS300 sailors made their way out into Seaburn Bay to join the fast handicap fleet.

Race one got underway in around 10 knots with short steep waves. Local sailor and new boy to the RS300 fleet, Davis got away well to lead to the first mark, closely followed by Keen, Smith, Henman and Redpath. Keen and Davis battled downwind enjoying the surfing conditions to open up a gap from the others. Smith soon showed his boat speed in his A rig to catch Davis and Keen, starting a close battle between Keen and himself. Both pushed Davis hard all the way for the win, Keen just snatching second from Smith, who was then followed home by Henman and Redpath.

Race two started in slightly less breeze, and again Keen and Davis lead to the windward mark using the B rigs to the best of their advantage. Keen overhauled Davis up the second beat. Smith again showed what he can do with his A rig by hanging on to the front two, but could not quite get close enough to make the pass. Keen and Davis fought very closely all the way around the last lap, only for Keen to show his experience in the RS300 catching a wave to open up a small gap to take the win. Davis was second, followed by the A rigs of Smith, Henman and the Redpath.

Keen lead Davis overnight on count back, Smith third, Henman fourth and Redpath fifth.

Sunday morning came with all the signs of a very wet and windy second day. 20 knots blowing from the north and a big sea which meant racing would be held inside Roker Harbour. Four RS300's opted to race. The wind soon increased to 30 knots for the start of race three which proved to be entertaining.

Smith showed his pace in the big breeze to lead round the windward mark from Davis, Keen and then Henman. With gusts now reaching 35 knots Smith showed some impressive boat handling to complete his turns after hitting the windward mark, letting Davis through. Unfortunately he then got too excited and spectacularly capsized in front of Keen who kindly followed suit along with Henman and Smith.

Davis opted to play it safe at the wing mark and tack round to then find out how much of a handful the RS300 is in 30 - 35 knots of breeze. Smith chased Davis hard downwind, both opting to tack instead of gybe. Several capsizes later Keen and Henman called it a day, leaving Smith and Davis.

After a valiant attempt to make it downwind Smith then also decided the shore looked very welcoming, after a safety boat had reunited him with his boat after a capsize near the leeward mark, leaving Davis to slog it out upwind to the finish for the race and overall win.

After two days of close and entertaining racing Davis won from Keen with Smith in third showing that the older boats are still competitive!

A big thank you to Evolution Sailing for donating prizes, the visitors and most of all Sunderland Yacht Club and OOD Graham Kirkham and his team for a great job all weekend.

RS300 - Overall results

1st 306 Paul Davis Sunderland Yacht Club 1 2 1
2nd 326 Tim Keen Sheffield Viking 2 1 6
3rd 368 Ian Smith Craven SC 3 3 6
4th 450 Mark Henman Sunderland Yacht Club 4 4 6
5th 381 Dave Redpath St Marys Loch 5 5 6