Please select your home edition
Edition
Barton Marine Pipe Glands

RS700 Inland Championship at Queen Mary Sailing Club

by Philip Highfield 6 Nov 2019 23:03 AEDT 2-3 November 2019
RS700 Inlands at Queen Mary © James Bayliss

Arriving at Queen Mary SC for the first day of the RS700 Inlands it soon became apparent that the forecast of strong winds and rain was entirely accurate. With gusts in the high 40s racing was promptly abandoned and with the fleet keen, Sunday's racing was brought forward to fit in a fourth race.

The fleet arrived early on Sunday to completely contrasting conditions: bright sunshine and a gentle breeze blowing across the reservoir. The fleet spread along the line for the start of race one and headed off into a shifty breeze, trying to make the most of the stronger puffs. Spike Daniels picked the right shift to lead at the first mark closely followed by Phil Highfield and Theo Galyer. For the next two laps boats concertinaed before spreading out into the final positions.

The wind pipped up between races, but vanished as the fleet lined up for race two. The fleet continued its good behaviour getting away first time. Spike again showed his upwind pace to lead at the first mark this time with James Bayliss hot on his tail. Spike and James gybed straight off and vanished into the distance to take first and second. Behind them four boats were fighting hard for third. After three laps of constant place changing Phil just sneaked past Graham Blake at the last mark to take third.

A big shift in the wind and a big jump in the wind strength as the last boats finished got everyone excited only for it to vanish again as the sequence started for race three. The course was moved up the reservoir in order to achieve a decent windward leeward. The race kicked off with a stunning start from Roland Smith who managed to round the windward mark with Spike and held on to this for the majority of the race. A few boats took some risks banging the left-hand corner. From this Stephen Hermanson, a local QMSC sailor, got the better of Roland on the last leg with phenomenal down wind speed. Spike took the win and the championship. Race four began with boats just trapezing. Spike shot up the first beat again to round in the lead. Theo and James following in second and third. Spike pulled clear and looked good for his fourth win untill he went for the finish line a lap early. Theo gratefully took the lead and didn't look back for the win. Meanwhile, Phil had edged James out on the second downwind to take second with James holding off Spike for third.

Overall Spike was the class act of the weekend and was crowned the RS700 inland Champion. Phil Highfield had a consistent weekend to take second from Theo Gayler who finished third.

Overall Results:

PosSail NoHelmClubR1R2R3R4Pts
1st808Spike DanielsHayling Island Sailing Club111‑43
2nd836Phillip HighfieldGt Yarmouth & Gorleston SC23(DNC)27
3rd1063Theo GaylerHayling Island Sailing Club3‑5418
4th944James BaylissQueen Mary Sailing Club‑725310
5th1020Stephen HermansonQueen Mary Sailing Club462‑712
6th982Roland SmithQueen Mary Sailing Club6‑73514
7th914Graham BlakeQueen Mary Sailing Club547‑816
8th1041Matt ConnerQueen Mary Sailing Club‑886620
9th1030Simon HawesQueen Mary Sailing Club998(DNC)26

Related Articles

RS Sailing Store partners with RS Nationals
Official chandlery partner for the noughty and RS Vareo class Nationals 2025 The RS Class Association is thrilled to announce that RS Sailing Store will be the official chandlery partner for the noughty and RS Vareo class National Championships 2025. Posted on 5 Jun
RS700 Europeans at the Riva Cup
Glamour, guts and Garda glory The RS700 fleet gathered at the Riva del Garda for the 2025 Blue Garden Riva Cup and RS700 Europeans, where dramatic weather, high-octane racing, and unforgettable socials combined to deliver a week that will be talked about for years to come. Posted on 3 Jun
15% Off New Sails with Early Bird Entry
For RS sailors who going to any UK National Championships RS Sailing Store is proud to support the UK RS Class Associations and their events in 2025. RS Sailors gearing up for their 2025 UK season can take advantage of an exclusive offer to help them hit the start line with fresh sails. Posted on 17 May
RS700 Rooster National Tour at Snettisham Beach SC
The third installment was eagerly anticipated with its usual mix of competitive racing. With most competitors arriving on Friday evening, the sailors had a great opportunity to catch up in bar to reacquaint with old friends and meet new ones ahead of what was going to be an early start the following morning. Posted on 9 May
RS700 rescheduled 2024 Inlands at Queen Mary
A strong turnout of skilled sailors took part in a series of challenging races The RS700 Inland Championship took place over the weekend of the 15th and 16th of March 2025 at Queen Mary Sailing Club (QMSC). Posted on 19 Mar
RS700 Rooster National Tour at Brightlingsea
Carter struts his stuff in Essex It was back to the 2023 Nationals venue of Brightlingsea for the RS700s, next stop on the Rooster National Tour. The home fleet welcomed visitors to occasional blue skies and consistently brown waters. Posted on 17 Oct 2024
Dabchicks RS700 Open
The sun was shining and the breeze was fillied in nicely on Saturday RS700 Open at Dabchicks Sailing ClubA near full fleet of local boats were joined by a visitor from across the Colne on Saturday morning for what would turn out to be one of the best day's sailing of the year. Posted on 9 Oct 2024
Noble Marine RS700 Nationals overall
10 knots and some funky Hayling chop on the final day The fourth and final day of the 2024 RS700 Nationals had a similar feel. Too many dark and stormies from the previous night were being regretted, breakfasts were being demolished and mirror-like conditions again met the fleet. Posted on 19 Sep 2024
Noble Marine RS700 Nationals day 3
Breeze builds at Hayling to provide fantastic sailing conditions The fleet arrived at the club to be greeted by mirror flat water and wall to wall sunshine. It was safe to say the Dabchicks contingent, after indulging at the bar in the after sailing social the day before, were banking on there being a postponement. Posted on 15 Sep 2024
Noble Marine RS700 Nationals day 2
It was great to see the whole fleet pushing each other Following on from Robbie's smashing report of yesterday racing we all arrived for another day in a questionable forecast. Posted on 13 Sep 2024
Maritimo S SeriesRooster 2025North Sails Loft 57 Podcast