West Country Boat Repairs 2000 class Inland Championship 2025 at Rutland Sailing Club

30 2000's had a ball at the 2025 Inland National Championships at Rutland SC over the weekend of October 25th/26th. In some pretty testing conditions there was some full on no holds barred competitive racing with constant place changing at the front and right through the fleet.

With a pretty westerly air flow all weekend the racing was held in the southern arm of Rutland Lake, a new experience for this reporter and one of many top judgement calls from PRO Adam Petit.

2000 class Inland Championship at Rutland - photo © RSC

Saturday in a general WNW wind fluctuating between 14 and 22 knots with plenty of slants up wind and some big lumpy gusts to hook into downwind everyone always felt they had a good chance to make big gains. After some immense tussles current National Champions Ben and Sam Pascoe won the first two races with Simon Horsfied/Sarah Burridge 2nd in both having led both races. Paul Cullen/Louisa Ching mighty impressive down wind were 3rd in both.

Pete Vincent/Elysia Dooley stormed the first beat in race 3 to lead but Simon/Sarah were through on the run never to be challenged. Paul/Louisa gybed early on the 2nd run to disappear into 2nd in a cloud of spray with Pete/Elysia settling for 3rd.

It was a very tired fleet but happy fleet that settled into the warmth of the club house and a really decent 2 course meal from the clubs new caterers.

2000 class Inland Championship at Rutland - photo © RSC

Sunday there was plenty of sunshine but it felt cold so PRO Adam wisely kept the fleet on shore until he had the course set up. Race 4 in a more consistent westerly at around 18-20 knots with less slants saw Matt Sargent/Ross Southwell muscle their way into a first mark lead but Paul/Louisa were on fire downwind to disappear into a commanding race win with Simon/Sarah 2nd and Matt/Ross 3rd.

Race 5 and the wind had eased back a little. Again Pete/Elysia led at the first mark a lead which they extended and looked to be heading for a race win but the Pascoes were having none of that and went round the outside of on the final run to win with Simon/Sarah 3rd.

2000 class Inland Championship at Rutland - photo © RSC

This meant that going into the last race it was all to play for with Simon/Sarah and the Pascoe's equal on 7 points and Paul/Loiusa needing to win with the other 2 outside the top 3.

Matt/Ross again led but Simon/Sarah were very close behind and got into the lead which they never lost. Paul/ Louisa fought through to 2nd with Matt/Ross 3rd and the Pascoe's 4th. After an epic battle Simon and Sarah were crowned 2000 Inland National Champions for 2025.

Simon Horsfield and Sarah Burridge, overall winners, with Commodore Alex Whiby - 2000 class Inland Championship at Rutland - photo © Gemma Burridge

In another remarkable display the classes #fastfamilyfun tag was highlighted by 9 year old Ben's amazing 2nd place overall and further emphasised by 11 year Ollie getting his Dad Matt to 12th overall and first family junior. The star award went to 15 year old Louisa Ching not only putting up with Paul Cullen for 6 races but making him look good in 3rd overall.

Ollie Larkin, Ben Pascoe and Louisa Ching - 2000 class Inland Championship at Rutland - photo © Gemma Burridge

Alistair Banks/ Harry Fox from West Riding in 9th overall won the silver division just pipping Jenny Irish/Ali Cormack.

The great turnout rounded off a very successful year for the 2000 class. Bring on the 2026 Season with the Nationals at Brightlingsea August 16th-21st and an exciting seven-date Millennium Series details of which will be announced in November.

Ben and Sam Pascoe, second overall - 2000 class Inland Championship at Rutland - photo © Gemma Burridge

Overall Results: