Noble Marine Rooster RS400 National Championships 2023 - Runners and Riders
by RS class Association 12 Jul 02:06 PDT
Volvo Noble Marine RS400 Nationals day 2 © Lee Whitehead /
www.photolounge.co.uk
It's just three weeks until the 400s make the long journey to one of their favourite venues - Mount's Bay on the beautiful western tip of Cornwall. With one of the largest entries for many years, we review the likely contenders vying for this years title...
Sam Knight & Chris Bownes, 1376
First up are last year's champions. 2022 was a stellar year for this crew, taking the Winter, Summer, Inland and National championships. 2023 has seen them defend both the Winters and Summers so far, and their recent success at Hayling will have given them a huge boost as they look to keep their title. If Mount's Bay yields some breeze and man mountain Chris can get his feet in the footstraps they could be very difficult to beat.
Ollie Groves & Esther Parkhurst, 1526
Without doubt the in-form team of 2023, Ollie and Esther showed what they were capable of at the End of Seasons at Rutland last year. Since then they have been virtually unbeatable on the Northern tour and took the Sprint championships at a canter despite an extremely competitive field. Blisteringly quick downwind they are going to be a force to be reckoned with whatever the conditions.
Jamie Calder & Keith Bedborough, 1533
Possibly the perfect combination of experience and youth, this crew were third last year at only their second nationals together. Championship winning crew Keith has been there and done it all before and with wonder boy Jamie has another helm more than capable of pulling off a title challenge. Consistent across the wind range, they were spotted training with Sam & Chris at the venue over the Easter weekend and will be hoping that gives them the edge come race day!
Tom Halhead & Paul Hilliar, 1535
Yet another championship winning crew, although Paul can now be found hanging round the pointy end of the boat. Probably the most experienced pairing within this list along with undoubtedly the fittest crew, if the wind blows all week they'll be on the pace as others fade away. Always fighting it out for the podium places they could well find their place on the top step if things go their way.
Christopher Eames & Rachel Tilley, 1528
This pair could well have been coming to this event as defending champions, but for a final day fight back from Sam & Chris. When in form they can stroll to event wins, and notably they looked to be getting back to their best at the Summer championships. They won't worry about the strength or direction - they go their own way and they go fast!
Notable others include...
Sam Pickering & Emily Heath, 1235
Often near the pointy end, but sometimes struggle to string together the results to trouble the top crews. A good week could see them trouble the top 5 if the conditions suit them.
Edd Whitehead & Ben Whaley, 1541
A new crew to the 400, but Edd already having won the 500 nationals there is no doubting they will be quick. With star crew Ben Whaley in the front, these two could be on the pace and in the mix!
Phil Murray & Neil Schofield, 1398
One of the top northern crews, they snuck into the top 10 at last years event. If the wind blows they could well find themselves fighting at the top.
Howard Farbrother & Jack Munnelly, 1481
A new pairing for this event, Howard has always been there or thereabouts and with Jack in the front they could well be the dark horses for this year's event.
Place your bets!