RS800s at the Stokes Bay Skiff Open
by Louis Johnson 29 Apr 02:06 PDT
25-26 April 2026
Stokes Bay delivered the goods: two days, six races, wall-to-wall sunshine and a solid 10-17 knots. Proper RS800 conditions with plenty of hooning downwind, and just enough breeze to keep things interesting.
Six boats made it to the start line, and consistency was the name of the game. Tom Morris & Guy Fillmore took the win with a very tidy scoreline, rarely putting a foot wrong all weekend to finish on just 5 net points.
Hugh Shone & Monique Vennis Ozanne were second, equally consistent and taking the only other race win. Third went to Louis Johnson & Lucy Hewitson, who recovered well after an early UFD to put together a solid series.
Further back, the fleet had its fair share of close battles, with Bryan & Anna and Alastair & Ella rounding out the top five.
Special mention goes to Rory Odell & James Hall, who on day two perfected the rarely seen "sail to the windward mark and call it a day" strategy thanks to some gear failure. Rumour has it the downwind legs are still untested...
All in all, a cracking weekend—sunburn, sore legs, and big grins all round.
Next stop Weymouth Skiff Open on the 9th/10th May—see you on the start line!
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Crew | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | Pts |
| 1st | 1248 | Thomas Morris | Guy Fillmore | HISC | 1 | 1 | ‑3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 2nd | 1 | Hugh Shone | Monique Vennis Ozanne | Sunnydale Gardens | ‑2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 9 |
| 3rd | 1171 | Louis Louis Johnson | Lucy Hewitson | HISC | (UFD) | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 16 |
| 4th | 1234 | Bryan Ormond | Anna Ormond | HISC | (DNS) | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 18 |
| 5th | 1099 | Alistair Hodgson | Ella Spain | Draycote Water Sailing Club | 3 | ‑6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 23 |
| 6th | 1140 | Rory Odell | James Hall | HISC | (UFD) | 5 | 6 | DNF | DNC | DNC | 38 |
| 7th | 1217 | William Homewood | Frances Daubeny | Stokes Bay SC | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | 45 |
| 7th | 1163 | Chris Doe | Nick Prince | Thorney Island SC | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | 45 |