RS800 Rooster National Tour at the Lymington Dinghy Regatta

Prizewinners: 2nd RS700 Rich Lilley, 3rd RS700 Matt Conner, 1st RS700 Theo Galyer, 1st RS800 Hugh Shone (Fiona Hampshire not present), 2nd RS800 Luke and Emma McEwen © Paul French

Despite the cool weather and strong drizzle on Saturday morning the friendly faces of the volunteers at Lymington greeted the eight strong fleet of RS800s and efficiently directed us to our designated boat parking ready for a weekend with six races scheduled. With the boats all rigged and the weather improving the committee launched the boats out to East course.

After negotiating the Lymington harbour without getting tangled up with the ferry we all arrived at the race course with perfect conditions for skiff racing; 14 knots and inshore chop made for fun and challenging conditions for race one. After a few minutes of milling around at the committee boat the race officers promptly got proceedings under way with the first race. After a good clean start from all involved it soon became apparent that there was a large right gain on the beats and the runs. Hugh Shone and Fiona Hampshire doing a superb job of boat positioning and speed (which would become a theme of the weekend) quickly extended away from the fleet to take the first race of the weekend followed home by home favourites Luke and Emma McEwen.

Race two saw the breeze build and the chop increase. The fleet started cleanly again, with the now obvious gains on the right. Several boats did a great job of the port tack duck and again Hugh and Fiona showed great pace and lane holding to take their second race win.

Race three was the breeziest of the day and again a drag race for the right seemed the most prudent tactical decision and again was convincingly won by Hugh and Fiona. With three races in fantastic conditions the fleet turned for home where we were greeted by an army of volunteers reading sail numbers and producing trailers in a very well choreographed procedure.

Day two was drier and brighter in the boat park with a fair, cool breeze blowing onshore. The fleet was launched and again made our way out to the race course where we were greeted by lighter conditions than the previous day.

Race one soon got under way with most boats mid-wiring upwind and single wiring downwind. Tide again seemed to be the dominant feature on the race course however the earlier start time combined with a later change of tide meant that left paid and a lane holding race for the left corner commenced. Some close racing saw the top five boats jostling positions for the first few laps with Hugh and Fiona again coming out on top.

Race two saw the breeze build to mid-teens and some good close racing again with Hugh and Fiona coming home first followed by Luke and Emma. The interlude between races five and six saw the heavens open and a short postponement while the committee moved the buoys ready for race six. With the event in the bag after five bullets and the downpour showing little signs of easing the winners decided to head in and get some well earned dry kit on leaving the rest of the fleet to compete in race six. The conditions had strengthened again to high teens and some challenging chop which saw Luke and Emma take the win followed home by Tom Bucktrout and Dominick Burke.

On behalf of the fleet I would like to thank the race committee and all the volunteers for running a very good event that was enjoyed by all.

The RS800 Rooster National Tour prize caps were won by Hugh Shone and Fiona Hampshire, Mark Oakey and Jamie Pidduck, Sam Jones and Richie Thurlby.

Overall Results:

Entry open here for our Noble Marine RS800 National Championship to be held at Castle Cove SC 9-12 Sept 2021.