RS800 Inland Championship 2026 at Grafham Water Sailing Club

RS800 Inland Championship at Grafham © Paul Sanwell / OPP

A Real Snakes and Ladders Weekend

As the weekend approached the weather forecast suggested that the sailing was going to be tricky and it was. However, the racing turned out to be extremely close and mostly enjoyable. This was largely due to the excellent race team, who managed to successfully predict what the wind was about to do. A talent that a lot of the sailors were very envious of!

After an hour postponement, race one took place in bright warm sunshine and a surprisingly good force two to three breeze. By the top of the first beat Alistair Hodgson and Ella Spain were leading and managed to extend their lead throughout the race. The closest chasers were Bryan and Anna Ormond, who were followed by Louis Johnson and Harry Chatterton for third.

Race two was a completely different scenario. For most of the race Joe and Ben Bradley were in front with Bryan and Anna not far behind. Then on the final downwind leg the wind shut off, then filled in behind allowing Louis and Harry to come through and take the wind closely followed by Alistair and Ella. Third were Matthew Potter and Simon Hibbert.

Evening entertainment was equally competitive, as the fleets that were present (RS400s, 500s, 700s and 800s) all took part. The first ever RS Dinghy Drive brought fun and surprisingly intense levels of competition for the well-received prizes.

RS800 Inland Championship at Grafham - photo © Paul Sanwell / OPP

Day two started with another postponement, followed by the race team getting the racing started at the earliest opportunity. Bryan and Anna won race three followed by Joe and Ben, having recovered from the previous day's bad luck. Third place this time went to Elsie and Scott Munro.

Race four was won by Brian and Anna again, with Louis and Harry second and Jessica Jobson and Eden Reynell in third.

Going into the last race the points at the front were very close. Throughout the day several boats had demonstrated that huge gains were available by choosing the correct path but finding that path was hit and miss. Joe and Ben won with Louis and Harry second and Alistair and Ella third.

The racing throughout the weekend was close, unpredictable and very enjoyable. Thank you to the Grafham Water Sailing Club and RS teams for a great weekend. Thank you also to Rooster Sailing for sponsoring the prizes and supporting the National Tour.

RS800 Inland Championship at Grafham - photo © Paul Sanwell / OPP

Event Results:

Spot prize: Elsie and Scott Munro - furthest travelled