Noble Marine Rooster RS400 National Championships - Day 4
by Tom Halhead 4 Aug 03:48 PDT
After "super-size" Wednesday (Day 3) had the fleet checking out the local kart track and minds being stretched by Oppenheimer with the day blown off, vans rocking and tents blowing around overnight, it was confirmed we were on for "Big Thursday" - with a race to catch up it was going to be a bit of a fitness test.
A pretty lively ride out to the start saw the fleet greeted by 18-22 knots in the vicinity of the start for race 6. Clearly a little bit too much time spent chatting onboard the pathfinder though as they didn't bother turning up until 30s after the gun - a strong candidate for the daily Duckhams but nothing like the litany of nominations that ensued on the following attempt; something our brilliant photographer for the week, Lee Whitehead, described as "carnage".
The stand-out effort, perhaps being Jeremy Stephens' attempt to turn the gate boat into a catamaran, reverse off and head back for another nibble. The race management was again superb and with 1.5mile+ legs set for the 70 boat fleet it was the sort of high-speed, open water, tight racing that shows the 400 at its absolute best.
The usual suspects featured at the front throughout the day, with Edd & Ben showing some lightning pace (clearly honed on the kart track...) to take the first race from Roger & Keith followed by Ollie & Esther.
Race 2 saw the order reversed with Ollie & Esther taking the gun from Roger & Keith then Edd & Ben.
Race 3 saw the wind build further and Lee reporting gusts beyond 30 from the safety boats. A slightly reduced fleet set off with tired legs - well worth it though for some of the best conditions of the year downwind. Roger & Keith took this one from Edd & Ben and Ollie & Esther, leaving the battle for the title finely poised going into the last day with a mere two points between the three of them.
Two races are scheduled tomorrow in a slightly lighter breeze - thankfully little to trouble our generous sponsors Noble Marine today and much of the Rooster kit on show, keeping the fleet nice and toasty in the Northerlies.
Mount's Bay are again proving to be incredible hosts; having just tucked into a Hog Roast and Ice Cream we've got a Ska band warming up, and a raffle for a new kite (generously funded by RS Sailing) coming later in aid of the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust. No sign of too many heading off for an early night yet...
Editor's note: the 'Mighty Off beats' were certainly well and truly enjoyed by all, Tom Halhead was lucky enough to win the spinnaker and we raised over £1160 for the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, thanks to the generosity of the sailors and club members. Now with just 3 points between the top 3, it's going to be an exciting finale!
Results after day 4:
Pos | Sail | Selec | Helm | Crew | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | Pts |
1 | 1541 | G | Edd Whitehead | Ben Whaley | Parkstone YC | ‑3 | 1 | (DSQ) | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 11 |
2 | 1526 | FGL | Ollie Groves | Esther Parkhurst | Beaver SC | ‑5 | 3 | 1 | ‑7 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 12 |
3 | 1533 | G | Roger Gilbert | Keith Bedborough | Dalgety Bay Sailing Club | ‑6 | ‑11 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 13 |
4 | 1528 | FGL | Christopher Eames | Rachel Tilley | Queen Mary SC | 1 | ‑26 | 2 | ‑6 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 21 |
5 | 1535 | G | Tom Halhead | Paul Hilliar | Llandegfedd SC | ‑10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | ‑10 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 27 |
6 | 1376 | G | Sam Knight | Chris Bownes | Bartley SC | ‑8 | 2 | 5 | 4 | ‑31 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 29 |
7 | 1398 | G | Phil Murray | Neil Schofield | Tynemouth SC | ‑32 | 12 | ‑17 | 5 | 11 | 11 | 7 | 9 | 55 |
8 | 1479 | FGL | Chris Webber | Nicki Webber | Pevensey Bay SC | 2 | 7 | 10 | ‑20 | 4 | 13 | 20 | ‑22 | 56 |
9 | 1400 | GM | James Stewart | Sam Parker | Netley Sailing Club | ‑21 | ‑20 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 7 | 58 |
10 | 1481 | GM | Howard Farbrother | Jack Munnelly | Lymington Town | RDG | ‑25 | 9 | ‑19 | 12 | 5 | 8 | 14 | 59 |
11 | 1414 | S | Sam Watson | Geoff Edwards | Budworth SC | 7 | 6 | 6 | 22 | (DSQ) | 8 | (DNC) | 10 | 59 |
12 | 411 | GM | Richard Cain | Barney Dearsly | Starcross Yacht Club | 4 | 8 | 18 | 11 | 14 | (RET) | ‑19 | 11 | 66 |
13 | 1469 | MSY | Martin Powell | Arun Powell | Parkstone YC | ‑30 | ‑23 | 13 | 14 | 9 | 10 | 18 | 12 | 76 |
14 | 1377 | GM | Neil Bevington | Alan Skeens | Lee on Solent | ‑24 | 5 | 22 | (RET) | 18 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 85 |
15 | 1410 | FGL | Jacob Ainsworth | Kayleigh Roberts | Tynemouth sc | ‑28 | 22 | 20 | ‑31 | 16 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 87 |
16 | 1532 | GM | Steve Norbury | Andy Hill | Warsash SC | 13 | 13 | ‑34 | 17 | ‑24 | 14 | 10 | 24 | 91 |
17 | 1362 | GO | Mike Saul | Oliver Kent | yorkshire Dales | 14 | 9 | ‑26 | 18 | ‑25 | 21 | 16 | 17 | 95 |
18 | 1439 | FOS | Kevin Podger | Heather Chipperfield | Lymington Town SC | 15 | 10 | 8 | 27 | 20 | (DSQ) | 17 | (DNS) | 97 |
19 | 1239 | G | Paul Cullen | Matt Sargent | Weirwood Sailing Club | 16 | ‑37 | 12 | 23 | 5 | 23 | ‑27 | 19 | 98 |
20 | 1539 | FLS | Steven Broomfield | Jenni Lewis | Lymington Town | 22 | 19 | 23 | ‑33 | 13 | (RET) | 13 | 16 | 106 |
21 | 1189 | OS | Steve Restall | Chris Stubbs | Downs SC | 9 | 16 | ‑55 | 34 | 7 | 18 | 25 | (DNS) | 109 |
22 | 1515 | OS | Paul Bartlett | Greg Bartlett | Starcross Yacht Club | 19 | 18 | ‑24 | 21 | 22 | 16 | 14 | (DNC) | 110 |
23 | 1004 | S | Tom Purdon | Sam Purdon | Strangford Lough | ‑39 | 24 | 25 | 16 | 19 | 17 | ‑36 | 18 | 119 |
24 | 1456 | G | Alex Oyston | Philip Cowans | Tynemouth Sailing Club | 23 | ‑31 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 26 | ‑40 | 28 | 120 |
25 | 1455 | FG | Garry Knott | Amy Hinsliff‑smith | NCSC | 11 | 27 | 14 | 8 | 17 | ‑50 | 45 | (RET) | 122 |
26 | 767 | CMS | Chris Larr | Abigail Larr | Draycote Water | 20 | ‑32 | 16 | 26 | ‑32 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 123 |
27 | 1489 | MS | David Swift | Rob Burgess | Warsash SC | 27 | ‑40 | 32 | 9 | 23 | ‑34 | 15 | 26 | 132 |
28 | 1363 | OS | Ross Ryan | Oliver Ryan‑Moore | Notts County SC | 17 | 14 | ‑37 | 32 | 21 | 22 | 26 | (RET) | 132 |
29 | 1513 | MS | Neil Parkhurst | Ian Parkhurst | Beaver Sailing Club | 31 | 28 | 29 | 10 | 28 | ‑39 | 24 | ‑34 | 150 |
30 | 971 | FLS | Simon Kitchen | Abbi Hooper | Grafham Water SC | 12 | 33 | 31 | 25 | 34 | ‑38 | ‑37 | 15 | 150 |
31 | 1437 | BF | Justin Smith | Sarah Batchelor | Tynemouth SC | ‑56 | ‑46 | 33 | 15 | 29 | 20 | 41 | 20 | 158 |
32 | 1530 | FOS | John Cooper | Becci Wigley | Lymington Town | ‑36 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 26 | 24 | 28 | (RET) | 166 |
33 | 1524 | FS | Stuart Halman | Anna Walsh | Leigh and Lowton sc | ‑35 | 29 | 19 | ‑36 | 30 | 27 | 33 | 30 | 168 |
34 | 690 | B | Jeremy Stephens | Thomas Kliskey | PZSC | (OCS) | 42 | 7 | 35 | 41 | (DSQ) | 35 | 29 | 189 |
35 | 506 | B | Alex Zamaria | Rob Staines | Saltash SC | 29 | 38 | 21 | 43 | 27 | 42 | (DSQ) | (RET) | 200 |
36 | 1184 | B | Christopher Spencer | Edward Smith | Hooe Point Sailing Club | ‑45 | 41 | 35 | 29 | ‑43 | 29 | 29 | 37 | 200 |
37 | 880 | S | Tim Le Couilliard | James Le Couilliard | King George Sailing Club | ‑50 | 36 | 27 | 42 | 38 | (DSQ) | 31 | 33 | 207 |
38 | 1493 | FLOS | Geoff Holden | Bernice Holden | Locks Sailing Club | 33 | ‑43 | 43 | 30 | 40 | 31 | 30 | (RET) | 207 |
39 | 1435 | FOS | Matthew Sheahan | Ellie Sheahan | Warsash SC | ‑53 | ‑52 | 42 | 45 | 51 | 30 | 23 | 23 | 214 |
40 | 1547 | FMS | John Hobson | Rebecca Ogden | Notts County Sailing Club | 37 | 15 | 36 | 24 | 33 | (DSQ) | (DNC) | DNC | 216 |
41 | 877 | S | William Findlay | Peter Gilmore | Strangford Sailing Club | 40 | ‑58 | 46 | ‑58 | 45 | 32 | 32 | 27 | 222 |
42 | 1427 | FLMS | Carl Whitehead | Carol Milner | Filey S.C | 25 | 45 | ‑49 | 39 | 39 | 37 | 43 | (DNC) | 228 |
43 | 1271 | S | Peter Greig | Mike Greig | Mounts Bay Sailing Club | ‑63 | 55 | 45 | ‑62 | 44 | 28 | 34 | 25 | 231 |
44 | 1417 | BO | Andy Ritchie | Malc Ritchie | Hykeham SC | 48 | 34 | 28 | (DNC) | (DNC) | 35 | 22 | RET | 238 |
45 | 1536 | BO | Jonty Challis | Nic Allen | Lee on Solent | 38 | ‑66 | 53 | (DNF) | 35 | 36 | 52 | 31 | 245 |
46 | 1179 | B | Ben Martin | Darren Cushley | RUYC / Strangford Lough | 42 | 35 | ‑47 | 44 | 46 | 40 | 38 | (RET) | 245 |
47 | 1325 | LS | James Logan | Philippa Logan | Notts County SC | 18 | ‑60 | 44 | 49 | 42 | 47 | 49 | (RET) | 249 |
48 | 573 | BL | Tim Stickley | Florence Kerr | Lymington Town SC | 51 | 17 | ‑66 | 47 | 48 | 45 | 42 | (RET) | 250 |
49 | 1470 | BMO | Gareth Griffiths | Ian Peace | Island Barn | ‑60 | ‑64 | 48 | 48 | 36 | 41 | 51 | 35 | 259 |
50 | 1503 | MS | Nick Daniels | Mark Aitken | Warsash SC | 34 | 21 | 41 | 57 | 37 | (DNS) | (DNC) | DNC | 261 |
51 | 762 | BFY | Paul McMeekin | Jane McMeekin | Strangford Sailing Club | 26 | 53 | 50 | 38 | ‑56 | 46 | 48 | (DNC) | 261 |
52 | 1521 | BM | Andy powell | Chris Rolfe | warsash | ‑65 | ‑54 | 54 | 46 | 52 | 33 | 44 | 36 | 265 |
53 | 1422 | FG | Bruce Mills | Andrea Jarman | Warsash SC | 47 | 39 | 65 | 53 | 55 | 25 | (DNC) | (DNC) | 284 |
54 | 1324 | BM | Richard Watney | Grant Shoebridge | HISC | 57 | ‑65 | 56 | 54 | ‑64 | 48 | 39 | 32 | 286 |
55 | 1501 | BO | Ken Twemlow | Goiz‑Eder Aspe‑Juaristi | Notts County | 41 | 50 | 39 | 52 | 58 | (DNS) | 46 | (DNC) | 286 |
56 | 1345 | BF | John Woolcock | Gemma ORourke | Mounts Bay Sailing Club | 46 | 49 | 40 | 40 | 47 | (DNC) | (DNC) | DNC | 293 |
57 | 1432 | BM | James Alsop | Simon Edwards | Queen Mary SC | ‑64 | 51 | 61 | 51 | 49 | 43 | 50 | (RET) | 305 |
58 | 856 | BY | Conor Mcveigh | Laurence McVeigh | Strangford sailing club | 54 | ‑56 | 51 | 55 | 54 | 44 | 47 | (RET) | 305 |
59 | 1430 | BMY | Simon Mathews | Jack Fussey | Lancing SC | 52 | 62 | 62 | 37 | 50 | 49 | (RET) | (DNC) | 312 |
60 | 1487 | BO | Andrew Bray | Sarah Bevington | Lee on Solent | 43 | 47 | 59 | 50 | 53 | (RET) | (DNS) | DNC | 323 |
61 | 1263 | FOS | David Stockton | Anna Warren | Wimbleball | 44 | 61 | 38 | (DNS) | (DNC) | 52 | DNS | DNC | 337 |
62 | 1462 | BFL | Dennis Watson | Nikita Watson | Lee on Solent | 49 | 63 | 52 | 41 | 62 | (DNC) | (DNC) | DNC | 338 |
63 | 1287 | MS | James Bowman | Andrew Gladstone | Starcross Yacht Club | 55 | 44 | 57 | 56 | 57 | (RET) | (DNC) | DNC | 340 |
64 | 603 | BMO | Mostyn Evans | Phil Davies | Mounts Bay SC | 58 | 48 | 60 | (DNF) | 60 | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | 368 |
65 | 1025 | B | John Gabbie | Erin Gabbie | Strangford Sailing Club | 62 | 57 | 58 | (DNF) | (RET) | 51 | RET | DNS | 370 |
66 | 1525 | BFLO | Martin Hart | Moira Hart | Notts County Sailing Club | 59 | 59 | 63 | 59 | 59 | (RET) | (DNS) | DNC | 370 |
67 | 1294 | BO | Mike Grant | Alan Birse | Largs | 61 | 67 | 64 | 60 | 61 | (DNC) | (RET) | DNC | 384 |
68 | 1201 | BFLO | Matt Green | Sharn Ward | Mounts Bay SC | 66 | (RET) | (RET) | 61 | 63 | DSQ | DNC | DNC | 403 |