McGrane and Vidal are RS800 UK National Champions

by Charles Roome on 30 Aug 2008 The conditions for days four and five of the RS800 UK National Championship continued in the same vein as for days two and three, with a shifty westerly breeze blowing off the shore in the bay off Porthpean.

Ben McGrane and Olivier Vidal secured three more races wins and an uncharacteristic eighth place over the two days to secure the championship with a day to spare.

The chasing pack are still very closely grouped with just the final day to come. With the second discard in play, Stevie Wilson & Jamie Stewart are best placed in second, two points ahead of Tim Hirst & Ben Schooling, who lie a further 4 points clear of Tom Halhead & Christian Humphrey, who have closed up courtesy of 4 top four finishes in the past 2 days.

Yesterday saw the first RS800 crews race after racing. A close and tense affair meant a general recall occurred on the first start, and the fleet got away on a short windward leeward before beating home. First round the windward mark were Jamie Stewart & Stevie Wilson, chased by Steve Hall & Charlie Roome, and Bonnie Moody & Andy Jeffries.

Event winners Vidal & McGrane found some pace on the long final beat to overtake the pack and take the win by a whisker from Stewart & Wilson. Third were Moody & Jeffries, with fourth taken by the impressive crewing skills of Spod Olive, being led around by Guy Fillmore.

The RS800 class is extremely grateful for the sponsors who have supported the last few days of racing. Tuesday was Harken day, with Harken prizes for the daily winners and support for the fancy dress pub crawl round Fowey, which provided much amusement.

Wednesday was sponsored by Geeta’s, who gave curry sauces as daily prizes to accompany the evening curry social. Their support is much appreciated, especially by those who won sauces to take home.

Day 5 (Thursday) was sponsored by St Austell Brewery and their own Tribute Ale. This involved a free bottle of ale for every competitor, and a brewery tour after racing. All those who went enjoyed the tour and the accompanying taster session late into the night.

The final day has dawned light, so the fleet are waiting to see if a final day’s racing will be possible.

RS800 Nationals - Overall positions after day 5

1st 1147 Ben McGrane Olivier Vidal Chew Valley 11 pts
2nd 1151 Stevie Wilson Jamie Stewart 37 pts
3rd 1121 Ben Schooling Tim Hirst Helensburgh SC 39 pts
4th 1114 Tom Halhead Christian Humphrey Bristol Corinthian SC 43 pts
5th 1133 Justin Deal Ollie Page Lancing SC 44 pts
6th 1146 Spod Olive Guy Fillmore Stokes Bay/Draycote 47 pts
7th 1130 Neil Baker James Hughes Thorpe Bay SC 57 pts
8th 1144 Ian Martin Adam Broughton 61 pts
9th 964 Charlie Roome Steve Hall Northampton SC 74 pts
10th 1148 Matt Gill Toby Wincer Felixstowe Ferry SC/RCYC 97 pts
11th 881 Andy Cornah Orwin Murray Hayling Island SC 98 pts
12th 1136 David Pike Fiona Lockwood Eastbourne SC 98 pts
13th 1077 Simon Skinner Jo Skinner Datchet SC 101 pts
14th 961 Phillip King Tom Trueman Oxford SC 105 pts
15th 1116 Adrian Coatsworth Julia Coatsworth Alton Water SC 108 pts
16th 955 Andrew Smith Micky Boughton Stokes Bay SC 112 pts
17th 1128 Andy Jeffries Bonnie Moodie Eastbourne SC 113 pts
18th 1112 Ralph Singleton James Clark Chew Valley Lake SC 132 pts
19th 1119 Aaron Bardon Robert Hooper LDC 143 pts
20th 1072 Brett Ellway Jay Bick Stokes Bay SC 146 pts
21st 868 Joel Walker Sarah Crossman Weston SC 153 pts
22nd 1134 Jamie Stevenson Jamie Oaten Royal Torbay SC 154 pts
23rd 1127 Derek Buchanan Elaine Buchanan Oxford SC 157 pts
24th 1113 Alastair Shires Penny Shires Stokes Bay SC 161 pts
25th 899 Andrew Gould Tom Kennedy Emsworth Slipper SC 162 pts
26th 1142 Oli Woods Anna Perkins Itchenor SC 166 pts
27th 982 Sam Maxfield Henry Maxfield Hayling Island SC 191 pts
28th 923 Giles Bradford Charlie Esse RNSA 196 pts
29th 1062 Andy Scott Derian Scott Chew Valley Lake SC 198 pts
30th 943 Laurie Fitzjohn-Sykes Daniel Allin 203 pts
31st 991 Malcolm Streeton Miles Roebuck Hayling Island SC 204 pts
32nd 884 Ed Brunyee Tom Maidwell Restronguet SC 211 pts
33rd 1076 Sam Seddon Josh Seddon Felixstowe Ferry SC 221 pts
34th 1067 Richard Nieveen Robert Burton Stokes Bay SC 223 pts
35th 983 Anthony Harvey Michael Stone Mumbles YC 236 pts
36th 956 Blair Stanaway Lisa Mullee Mayo SC 246 pts
37th -833 Pippa Baker Mostyn Evans Restronguet SC 249 pts
38th 874 Neil Crossouard Ian Crossouard Weston SC 260 pts
39th 978 Doug Horner Tim Ellis 272 pts
40th 1010 Chris Bailey Matt Bailey Draycote Water SC 282 pts
41st 968 Paul Bulkeley Mike Worthington 313 pts