RS200 Rooster Virtual Sprints 2020

RS200 Rooster Virtual Sprints © Will Taylor

With over 20 entries at the beginning of the weekend, it was decided to run the racing in two flights. This worked well with smaller fleets and tight racing where everyone had a moment at the front of the fleet.

Racing in J70s the fleet quickly learnt how to skilfully control the boats without the use of navigational aids. At the end of the six races on Day One, it was the Taylors leading the pack with Chay Taylor in first, Chris Taylor in second and Will Taylor in third (must be something to do with the Taylor surname).

Day Two saw the flights reassigned so you would race more of the fleet. With more beautiful sailing conditions, where even helms could enjoy dry feet sailing, another six races were completed for each fleet. Leading the pack after 12 races was Chay Taylor, followed by Will Taylor in second, with Ben Rolfe in third. At the end of the weekend, the top 20 qualified for the medal racing on Monday morning where positions were carried forward and three medal races would take place.

RS200 Rooster Virtual Sprints - photo © Will Taylor

Unfortunately, not all competitors were able to compete in the medal racing most notably leader Chay Taylor. Racing in the medal races was furious with racing hard but fair like normal RS200 racing. With no discards every race was important. The first race saw Charlie Whittaker take victory from Ed Harris and Stephen Videlo. This brought both Ed and Charlie into contention after finishing the weekend in 5th and 4th.

The second race saw a turn in fortunes for the leaders all counting results outside the top three. The meant going into the final race there were just five points separating the top four with any one of them capable of winning the series. As cliché as it sounds it all came down to the final run with all four inside the top run and a difficult run to contend with as the gusts had disappeared. Crossing the line first was Charlie Whitaker - would it be enough? In second was Ed Harris, followed by Will Taylor. Unfortunately for Ben Rolfe he got a penalty on the final gybe pushing him down to 6th.

With the points calculated the winner of the RS200 Rooster Virtual Sprints is Ed Harris (aka "Calypso_2"). Congratulations to Ed and all other competitors for competing over the weekend.

Thank you to Rooster for sponsoring this virtual event in place of our real sailing Sprint Championship. Ed Harris wins a 10 litre signal blue dry bag emblazoned with the special Rooster RS National Tour logo. The next event will be hosted as soon as safely possible. Check out the RS200 website to keep up-to-date and follow the RS Class Association on facebook.

Medal Races Results: