2000 Millennium Series round 5 at Lee-on-the-Solent Sailing Club

2000 Millennium Series round 5 at Lee-on-the-Solent © Kev O'Brien

The 2000 Class Association where hosted by Lee on the Solent SC on the 13-14th July for the Millennium Series 5 regatta, the last coastal event prior to the 20th Anniversary UK Nationals 'Festival of Sailing' at Tenby SC 11 - 16 Aug 2019. 19 boats and crews made the annual pilgrimage to the fantastic sailing location of the Solent. The forecast for the weekend was challenging with Saturday being the better of the two days, Sunday unfortunately was an easterly direction which caused the wind direction to be very variable. A real test for the RO and mark layers to set a course.

Out of the 19 entries, the RNSA team of Natalie Roach and Alex Pickles sailed their first event for 2019, getting to grips with a new boat. Kev O'Brien (Chair) and sailing legend John Best offering their help making tweaks to the boat during the regatta. Usual regulars of the circuit attended, Simon and Katie making final preparations for the Nationals can they make it 2 in a row? Multiple national's winner Rob Burridge and Sarah also consolidating their boat speed and handling in preparation towards their national campaign.

The event also attracted new members Dan Cruse & Robin Naisby from Dorchester SC and Josie & Hannah Meredith from Papercourt SC. It was really nice to see our long-standing members offering their help and expertise in boat setup around the boat park. Special thanks to Imogen for making the class cake for post-racing refreshments of tea and cake.

A huge thank you to Lee on the Solent SC for hosting the regatta, the event planning was fantastic.

With three weeks to go until the 20th Anniversary 2000 UK 'Festival of Sailing' Nationals at Tenby SC, this event really enabled to people to make final tweaks to their boat and develop personal 'drill and skills'. Simon national champion 2018 gave a very informative 'tech talk' on the mainsheet bridle, and Rob and Sarah Burridge both gave an insight to how they make their boat go fast. All the Top Tip videos have been uploaded to the 2000 Class Facebook page (so see the links in this paragraph).

Entries to the UK Nationals are up to 43 boats with the discounted entry available until the 31 Jul 19. If you own 2000 which maybe lying at the club all sad and lonely then why not head down to club and give some TLC and attend the Nationals! this event is a must. Plenty of people to help you set the boat up and offer you coaching. There will be evening coaching sessions delivered by class chairman Kev O'Brien supported by many of the top sailors.

If after reading this, it has wetted your appetite to give sailing a 2000 a go then please look us up on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, our class website or the Festival of Sailing Nationals website for more details.

The class welcomes all ages and abilities. You too can be part of a fantastic group of people sailing 'Probably the best entry level family asymmetric performance dinghy in the world!'

Overall Results:

2000 Millennium Series round 5 at Lee-on-the-Solent - photo © Kev O'Brien