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RS400 Open at Chichester Yacht Club

by Mark Green 15 Mar 2020 23:08 AEDT 14 March 2020

It had been many years since Chichester ran an RS400 Open so it was great to have nineteen boats arrive at the club for the 2020 event. After a winter of storm disruption, the weather was near perfect for the time of year, with a south westerly wind in the mid teens, even the sun made an appearance making it a fine day for sailing.

The CYC race committee had worked closely with the class association to setup the event, so on the day the race officer set the RS400's preferred windward, leeward course with a gate.

The first race saw a few capsizes and one boat break its mast, but was won by Steve and Sarah Cockerill, followed by Jon Heissig and Nicky Griffin.

The Second race saw the fleet crowding the line with a few boats over. After a regrettable mix up it was decided the fairest result was to award Joint first place to Steve Cockerill and Jon Heissig.

The third race was full of incidents. Jack Holden and Rob Henderson built an impressive lead, sailing downwind at astonishing speed as they made the most of the gusts. But then had difficulties with their spinnaker which halted the boat by the leeward gate and saw them overtaken by Jon Heissig and Nicky Griffin, Jack and Rob tried to catch up, but the race was won by Jon and Nicky.

At the prize-giving, third place went to Jack Holden and Rob Henderson from Arun YC, second place went to Steve and Sarah Cockerill from Lee on Solent YC and first place went to Jon Heissig and Nicky Griffin.

It was nice to spend at least a few hours outside in the sunshine without anyone mentioning the C word, but after racing, the competitors gathered in the sloop for a Race Tea, served by volunteers wearing gloves and using tongs as CYC did its best to protect everyone from the spread of the virus.

The talk after the event was about next year, hopefully the RS400 will become a regular fixture at CYC.

Overall Results:

PosSail NoHelmCrewClubR1R2R3Pts
1st1502Jon HeissigNicky GriffinLlangorse SC‑2RDG12
2nd1489Steve CockerillSarah CockerillLee on Solent YC11‑32
3rd1505Jack HoldenRob HendersonArun YC3(OCS)25
4th1192Jack MunnellyDom WoodcockArun YC42‑66
5th1479Michael WhitmoreSarah WhitmoreEastbourne SC53‑88
6th1356Pete VincentBubblesBristol Corinthian YC‑96410
7th1493Geoff HoldenBernice HoldenLocks SC‑65510
8th1377Neil BevingtonAlan SkeensLee on Solent YC74‑911
9th1503Peter SnowdonLouise CarrShoreham SC87‑1115
10th1429Ed ChildSarah KingstonLee on Solent YC‑1411718
11th1220John CooperAndy MawBurghfield SC‑1281018
12th1435Matt SheahanEllie SheahanWarsash SC109‑1219
13th527Andy PowellJon CostinWarsash SC1110‑1421
14th1386Chris GrosscurthEmma YorkChichester YC13(OCS)1326
15th1152Mike JacotRebecca AllenQueen Mary SC1512(DNF)27
16th1333Rob CorfieldLawrence KiesDell Quay SC(DNF)DNC1535
17th1359Matt ReevesTrisha ClancyStarcross YC(DNF)DNCDNC40
17th1382Andrew HuntMatt HuntEastbourne SC(DNF)DNCDNC40
17th1113Andy le GriceDan WealthyWarsash SC(DNF)DNCDNC40

More photos as well as details of other Open Events at CYC are available on the club's Open Meetings Page.

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