First ever RS100 UK National Championship 2010 - preview

by Martin Wadhams on 3 Sep 2010 UK National Championship - This weekend Parkstone Yacht Club, Poole, UK will host for the new RS100 racing dinghy from RS Sailing. (4-5th September 2010)

Around 40 competitors are expected to enter into this milestone event for one of the newest and fastest growing production racing dinghies. The RS100 was only launched this year and has generated a phenomenal positive response from the sailing industry, sailing media and the wider sailing community culminating in over 200 new boat orders to date. Generously supported by Dakine, the RS100 UK National Championship will be the first time the UK boats will meet face-to-face on home waters and will provide the ideal practice regatta for the much anticipated European Grand Prix in St Raphael, France in late September.

The National Championships will be preceded by a training day, covering boat tuning and handling – of particular help to the sailors who have only had their boats a matter of days or are new to asymmetric spinnakers. 3 short races followed by a double-points long race on each day of the championship will enable all competitors to have fun, fast and furious racing all within the glorious surroundings of one of the UK’s most stunning coastlines.

So who will be the first RS100 Champion? Well, you’d have to put some money on RS’s own Nick Peters who probably has the most hours in the boat and is, after all, a top sailor! Simon Childs, ex Phantom champion, is getting to grips with his new RS100 quickly and then there are the home team from Parkstone; Phil Jackson likely to be near the top of their pile. The great thing about a brand new class is the empty form book and no knowing who’ll walk away with the trophies.

Top social events and free training for pre-registered entrants will make this regatta a full weekend of serious sailing mixed with a light-hearted vibe that will ensure everyone gets more out of their own personal RS100 experience.

Martin Wadhams, Managing Director of RS Sailing said:
'Of course we are very happy with the success of the RS100 launch, however it will be seeing the sailors out there enjoying the racing in their new boats and then getting together as a Class ashore that makes all the hard work in developing this exciting new boat worthwhile.'

Phil Jackson, RS100 Class Captain at Parkstone Yacht Club said:
'Parkstone Yacht Club is very happy to be hosting the first UK nationals. We adopted the RS100 as our new class because it was clear from the prototypes we tested that the boat was simply amazing fun to sail and would offer us exciting close racing. We look forward to welcoming fellow RS100 sailors to a great weekend’s sailing in Poole'

http:// live.rs100sailing.com