RS500 Harken Sprints 2026 at Rutland Sailing Club

RS500 winners in the Harken Sprints 2026 at Rutland © Laurie Callaghan

We all agreed that it was kind of the weather gods to allow us all to enjoy day 1 by soaking up the rays with a couple (or more) cold beers in hand, chatting as we usually do. Well that's the write up for day 1 covered!

Day 2 started with a steady(ish) 9 knot south easterly breeze which was looking promising for a full schedule of 6 sprint races.

Race 1 saw Tim and Heather Wilkins (920) take a pretty comfortable victory. Nigel and Aaron Davis (1750) securing a 2nd ahead of Mike Saul and Ollie Kent (1689) after a 'snakes and ladders' type exchange on a very patchy race course, a theme which only continued in a constantly slackening breeze.

Tim and Heather continued their winning ways in race 2, though Mike and Ollie did a good job of keeping the boat moving well between the pockets of pressure to take 2nd in this one. The reservoir valve tower provided a tactical challenge for crews on the final beat, choosing between sailing to the preferred left side earlier through the wind shadow, or stay inside longer and keep to windward in clearer air.

Race 3 provided more of the same tight racing between all three boats, even catching some of the 400's in the 'car park' at the top of the second beat. Another tactical battle to join up pockets of pressure on the course ensued which Tim and Heather managed best, taking their 3rd bullet of the day. Nigel and Aaron secured 2nd ahead of Mike and Ollie.

Race 4 saw a nail biting (for someone I'm sure), super tight finish where all three crews were separated by no more than 4 boat lengths at the line. The downwind leg to the final mark provided the greatest adrenaline hit of the day where the age old, 'speed vs distance' conundrum was playing out. Mike and Ollie worked themselves inside and to windward of Tim and Heather, both crews doing everything they could to soak as deep as possible to avoid costly extra gybes. Nigel and Aaron were further out but in better pressure with a speed advantage over the other boats. As the boats compressed into the mark it was Mike and Ollie that rounded first, securing their first win of the day. Tim and Heather squeezed out second having held off Nigel and Aaron slightly to windward.

Thank you to John Fothergill and his team at Rutland Sailing Club who provided good race management in tricky conditions. And thank you to Harken for sponsorship the event with great prizes.

A great start to what promises to be an exciting year for the RS500 class, see you all at Dabchicks SC (30/31 May) for our next event!

If you are interested in getting into the class please email

Overall Results: