Latest RS800 News Feedhttp://www.rs-association.com A great turn-out at Grafham WSC for the first official RS800 event for 2010 for a very cold Winter Championship.Full results and report are at -http://tinyurl.com/yz77hul With thanks to Charles Roome for the report and congratulations to Ben McGrane and Roz Allen for their win. Some fun pictures on fotoboat.comNext stop - Chew Valley LSC on 13/14 March for the 1st Gul Grand Prix event for 2010. The first major RS event for 2010 is just around the corner - the 200/600/800 Winter Champs. Grafham Water SC are looking forward to welcoming loads of you on 13/14 February and its good to see lots of chat about this already on the 600 yahoo groups.The briefing is at 1100hrs on Saturday with first starts scheduled for 1200hrs Saturday 1030hrs Sunday 3 races/day. You can enter on the day - cost is GBP30/boat for double-handers GBP24 for 600s.Directions and other useful information is athttp://www.grafham.org/?page_id=2 If anyone wants to arrive on Friday evening the club gates will be open through the night.Camping and Motor homes are allowed on site both need to be pre-booked. Details of local accommodation can also be found on: http://www.grafham.org/?page_id=94If you have any further questions do contact Heather on heatherc@rs-association.com or 07711 972216. The RS800 calendar for 2010 has arrived! See http://www.rs-association.com/index.asp?fleet=RS800 and selection=eventsYou will notice the new format - hope you like it.Gul International are sponsoring the RS Classes again for 2010 and this year they are sponsoring the Racing Circuit - re-named Gul Grand Prix. All Gul RS Grand Prix racing events are on the website - 4 of 6 to count for the overall circuit.Also Championships and Eurocup events are up - off to Exe SC for UK National Championships. On-line entry will be available in Spring 2010. We are returning to Fraglia vela Riva Italy for Eurocup. This is set to be a fast sell-out when entries go live to RS Association members in January 2010 so please act quickly if you want to reserve a spot.Coaching events will be arranged throughout the year and will be added to the programme. If you would like a coaching event at your club please do get in touch - heatherc@rs-association.comWishing you all a very happy festive season and happy sailing in 2010.Heather and Debbie Laurie and Dan sail to victory No racing on final day of the Nationals so the over-night leaders Laurie Fitzjohn-Sykes and Dan Allin are crowned Gul RS800 Nationals Champions. Congratulations! Read all at http://tinyurl.com/ld8gywWith thanks to Pete Barton for daily reports.Great photos on www.fotoboat.comNext up -3/4th October Tide Ride at Hayling - for more wave action24/25th October Inland Championships at Oxford - for those who prefer it flatter The results and report (with thanks to Ryan Visser) for the final 2009 RS800 Racing Circuit hosted by Royal Torbay YC last weekend are now available at http://tinyurl.com/ld7xkmThe Final 2009 RS800 Racing Circuit results are available at http://tinyurl.com/nnplwn Thanks to Charlie Roome for his sterling work with these and congratulations to Rob Watson and John Clifton for winning the circuit and to Mick Whitmore and Sarah Smith for winning the Silver Division. The Prize-giving will be held at the Gul 2009 Inland Championships scheduled for 24/25 October at Oxford SC.But before that . Entries are still being taken for Gul RS800 Nationals Championships at Tenby SC. RegardsHeather Speaking to different people it appears most dont know what Tenby is allabout so let me give the benefit of my experience there at a Firefly champsyears ago.Tenby is a lovely quaint seaside beach resort at the scenic end of SouthWales. The town is built on a steep sided peninsula of land with 2 beacheseither side one facing north and the other south. We launch of the shelteredand gently sloping north beach into the harbour at high tide or a nicetrolley stroll down the beach at low tide. Take your body board and surfboards for the south beach! Due to the steep sided peninsula and denselypacked terraced of houses it is likely most of our rented accommodation iswithin 150yds of the dinghy park beach and sailing club bar! Campsites arenearby.Sailing area is awesome. Ask the RS200s from their recent visit. Proper seasailing. If the waves are rolling in from the SW they can be big cleanrollers exhilarating but not overly challenging with just some shelterfrom Caldy Island. Wind is likely to be clean provided it is south of westwhich is likely. Club is lovely and friendly and perched on the harbour wall immediatelyadjacent to the boat park and beach. Think Beer SC Rock SC or Mounts Bay.Check it out some mouth watering pictures and the club website here;http://www.tenbysailingclub.org.uk/pictures.htmI would definitely say this is one not to miss. When a really top venuecomes up it is worth every bit of any extra effort. It is actually an easydrive with the M4 taking you within half an hour of Tenby. And for the busyit is only 1 day off work being Sat-Tue over the Aug bank holiday!Foe early entry discount you need to book before you go to Carnac.Peter Barton Many thanks to all those who took the time to vote on the proposed rule change. As a reminder - the rule change was considered necessary as feedback had been received by the RS800 committee that the mainsheet loads were potentially too heavy to allow fair competition between female and male helms. 10 votes were received - 10 percent of RS800 membership - and the votes were 8 for 2 against. The rule change is therefore carried.The revised rules are now in place under Documents on the RS800 website. The rules now -- Allow unlimited mainsheet purchase (for both fully centre and rear led systems)- Close the loop hole allowing crews to play the main on fully centred sheeted boats- Close the loop hole where on fully centre sheeted boats whilst the main must pass through the deck block it could be played from the boom block.Any queries please contact Heather on heatherc@rs-association.com Great news that you are off to lovely Tenby SC for your 2009 Nationals. This year we have a 4-day format with 10 races scheduled. Tenby is a beautiful location in South Wales and have a history of hosting excellent championships. The sailing is exceptional and the club house hosts legendary social events. The RS200s visited Tenby for their Nationals in 2007 and had a fabulous time. The dates for this Nationals is Saturday 29 August - Tuesday 1 September so you only need to take 1 day off work (although you could take more and visit this beautiful area of the UK .) The only issue with booking our Nationals at such a beautiful venue is that it is a popular holiday destination and as you are sailing over the bank holiday weekend you must book your accommodation immediately! The local Tourist Information Office is on 01834 842402 and they offer an accommodation booking service. Local campsites include - Meadow Park (in Tenby) - 01834 844829 North Cliff Caravan Park (static vans for hire) - 01834 843526 Kiln Park ( 1 mile away) - 01834 844121 Well Park ( 1 mile nice cycle ride away) - 01834 842179 Wood Park ( 1 mile nice cycle ride away) - 0845 129 8314 The entry form will be out soon. The entry fee will be cGBP145/boat for those entering before early July 2009. Spring has arrived and the 2009 Racing Circuit kicks off for the RS700s and RS800s on 14/15 March. The ever-popular Chew Valley LSC is hosting the 1st of 6 Racing Circuit events for the RS700s the 1st of 8 for the RS800s. Racing starts at 1300hrs on Saturday 1100hrs on Sunday with a briefing at midday Saturday. Details of the event including local accommodation and directions are at http://tinyurl.com/cr6ytn Your committees have been considering Saturday night festivities and have decided to try out a local pub. The Blue Bowl has been suggested - http://www.thebluebowl.co.uk/ Please be reminded that either the helm or crew needs to be a member of the RS Class Association to race at this event. You can join the Association by completing the form available under Documents on the RS700 or RS800 areas of the RS website - www.rs-association.com - or by contacting Heather at the RS Office - heatherc@rs-association.com The 2009 racing season got well-and-truly underway for the 200s 700s and 800s last weekend at Grafham Water SC. Reports and results are now available with thanks to Nick Charles for the 200s Ian Nolan and Jon Heissig for the 700s and Neil Baker for the 800s. Please see all at the protected links below.RS200 - -http://preview.tinyurl.com/al7xeoRS700 - --http://preview.tinyurl.com/cpqlg8RS800 - --http://preview.tinyurl.com/dxlkylThere was a photographer at the event and I have requested photos. These will be added to the website report when received.Next events -The 200s are have their 1st SEAS event at Littleton this weekend.The 700s and 800s are at Chew Valley LSC for their first 2009 Racing Circuit event on 14/15 March. Roll up for the 1st official RS200 RS700 and RS800 racing event of 2009. Grafham Water SC will be hosting the Gul Winter Champs this weekend (14/15 February.) Standard race format - 3 races/day starting at 1200hrs Saturday 1030hrs Sunday. Briefing will be 1100hrs on Saturday. Please note that start time on Saturday is slightly later than advertised earlier. The water is fine - a few RS700s tested it last weekend - and roads to the club are clear.For directions and accommodation details see http://www.grafham.org/ For the extremely hardy campers and campervans (no caravans) are welcome on site. Campervans are charged GBP5/night and need to book in advance via 01480 810478 / admin@grafham.org. No sleepers in clubhouse.We have booked William Jeffcoate one of the RYA judges to speak about the new rules early evening on Saturday. There will be catering at the club throughout the weekend and a DJ has been booked for Saturday night. GWSC have new excellent caterers so give them a try .Entry fee will be GBP23/boat for RS700s GBP27 for RS200s and 800s. Although everyone will race together all fleets will be divided into Gold and silver fleets and the RS200s will also have a bronze fleet. So - prizes available at all levels .Competitors need to be 2009 members of the RS Association. Please complete and send off your membership forms before the event. Contact me if you need a membership form. If youd like to join or re-join on-line please see the Welcome part of the home page of http://www.rs-association.com/ Roll up for the 1st official RS200 RS700 and RS800 racing event of 2009. Grafham Water SC will be hosting the Gul Winter Champs on 14/15 February. Standard race format - 3 races/day starting at 1130hrs Saturday 1030hrs Sunday. Briefing will be 1030hrs on Saturday. For directions and accommodation details see http://www.grafham.org/ For the extremely hardy campers and campervans (no caravans) are welcome on site. Campervans are charged GBP5/night and need to book in advance via 01480 810478 / admin@grafham.org. There will be catering at the club throughout the weekend and a DJ has been booked for Saturday night. Entry fee will be GBP23/boat for RS700s GBP27 for RS200s and 800s. Although everyone will race together all fleets will be divided into Gold and silver fleets and the RS200s will also have a bronze fleet. So - prizes available at all levels . Competitors need to be 2009 members of the RS Association. Please complete and send off your membership forms before the event. Contact me if you need a membership form. If youd like to join or re-join on-line please see the Welcome part of the home page of http://www.rs-association.com/ With thanks to Guy Filmore the report from the Gul RS800 Inlands at King George SC is now available at http://www.rs-association.com/newincludes/results2.asp?fleet=RS800 and selection=Result Detail and subsec=Event Details and uid=424 and resultyear=2008 Some photos from the event are at http://fotoboat.thirdlight.com/viewdir.tlx?albumid=182756 I am awaiting the full results but these will be added asap. Next event for the RS800s is the Xmas Party on 6th December. The evening will entail a lovely two course Christmas banquet at a nice relaxed setting - Reds Putney West London - followed by lots of dancing at the legendary Fez Club. Everyone is more than welcome to come and celebrate. For anyone needing accommodation there is a Travel Inn/Lodge near by. For more information or to arrange to pay your deposit contact Jo Skinner on 07748907040 or jo.skinner@citigatedr.co.uk Have fun! Final RS800 event of 2008 is just around the corner . Gul Inland Championships at the new (to RS800s) venue of King George SC Essex. Details of the event including directions and local campsites and other accommodation are available on website at http://www.rs-association.com/index.asp?selection=eventsdetail and uid=114823364 and class=RS800 and fleet=RS800 and detailevent=1 Briefing Saturday is at midday with first start 1300hrs first start Sunday at 1100hrs. The RS800 AGM and the Prize-giving for the 2008 Fat Face Racing Circuit and Eurocup will be held at the club on Saturday night. The bar will also be open and the club will be getting fish and chips in . Please note that no dogs are allowed on site. A great event at Porthpean SC. Many thanks to Ken Fobbester and all at PSC for their friendly efficiency and enthusiasm and to Arkie for his excellent Race Officer-ing as ever. Thanks also to the RS Association team of Sally Campbell Ian Martin Ben Schooling Simon Skinner etc. who made the whole event work. And of course to Derek Buchanan for blagging a campsite! The final results and report (with thanks to Giles Bradford) are now available at http://www.rs-association.com/includes/resultsdetail2.asp?fleet=RS800 and uid=366 and class=RS800 and resultyear=2008 Also some excellent pics at http://fotoboat.thirdlight.com/index.tlx?albumid=170332 But its not over yet . Next events - - Final RS800 Fat Face Racing Circuit event at Exe SC on 13/14 September with the 200s. More details to follow. - Holt Tide Ride at Hayling Island SC on 4/5 October. NoR and Entry Forms now available on HISC website. Pre-entry necessary. - Gul Inland Championships at King George SC on 18/19 October. More details to follow. GUL RS800 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS DAYS 4 and 5 The conditions for days 4 and 5 continued in the same vein as for days 2 and 3 with a shifty westerly breeze blowing off the shore in the bay off Porthpean. Ben McGrane and Olivier Vidal secured three more races wins and an uncharacteristic 8th place over the two days to secure the championship with a day to spare. The chasing pack are still very closely grouped with just the final day to come. With the second discard in play Stevie Wilson and Jamie Stewart are best placed in second two points ahead of Tim Hirst and Ben Schooling who lie a further 4 points clear of Tom Halhead and Christian Humphrey who have closed up courtesy of 4 top four finishes in the past 2 days. Yesterday saw the first RS800 crews race after racing. A close and tense affair meant a general recall occurred on the first start and the fleet got away on a short windward leeward before beating home. First round the windward mark were Jamie Stewart and Stevie st1:cityst1:placeWilson/st1:place/st1:city chased by Steve Hall and Charlie Roome and Bonnie Moody and Andy Jeffries. Event winners Vidal and McGrane found some pace on the long final beat to overtake the pack and take the win by a whisker from Stewart and Wilson. Third were Moody and Jeffries with fourth taken by the impressive crewing skills of Spod Olive being led around by Guy Fillmore. The RS800 class is extremely grateful for the sponsors who have supported the last few days of racing. Tuesday was Harken day with Harken prizes for the daily winners and support for the fancy dress pub crawl round Fowey which provided much amusement. Wednesday was sponsored by Geetas who gave curry sauces as daily prizes to accompany the evening curry social. Their support is much appreciated especially by those who won sauces to take home. Day 5 (Thursday) was sponsored by St Austell Brewery and their own Tribute Ale. This involved a free bottle of ale for every competitor and a brewery tour after racing. All those who went enjoyed the tour and the accompanying taster session late into the night. The final day has dawned light so the fleet are waiting to see if a final days racing will be possible. Results are available at http://www.porthpeansc.co.uk/results2008/RS percent20800 percent20National percent20Championship.htm Gul RS800 National Championships Day 3 The third day of the Gul RS800 Nationals saw westerly breezes once again providing shifty racing in a gusty force 3 blowing off the shore. Overnight leaders Ben McGrane and Olivier Vidal got the right side of the 30 degree shift which hit as the fleet started to take an early lead which was never challenged. Stevie Wilson and Jamie Stewart secured another second with Justin Deal and Ollie Page coming in third. Ben Schooling and Tim Hirst finished 4th to continue their consistent series which leaves them 3rd overall by the end of the day. The second race of the day saw three boats break away from the pack those being McGrane/Vidal Deal/Page and Phil King and Tom Trueman. At the finish Deal/Page held off McGrane/Vidal which left McGrane and Vidal with a commanding overnight lead after an impressive string of consistent results. Ralph Singleton and James Clark had a good day with a 5th and 7th to pull them up overall and new silver fleet leaders are Andrew Smith and Micky Boughton in 11th. OVERALL RESULTS AFTER DAY 3 1 DISCARD: 1. Ben McGrane and Olivier Vidal (8 points) 2. Justin Deal and Ollie Page (23 points) 3. Ben Schooling and Tim Hirst (26 points) 4. Spod Olive and Guy Filmore (29 points) 5. Stevie Wilson and Jamie Stewart (30 points) 6. Neil Baker and James Hughes (31 points) Gul RS800 National Championships Day 2 The second day of the RS800 Nationals at st1:placest1:cityPorthpean/st1:city st1:stateSC/st1:state/st1:place provided the fleet with light breezes building considerably during the second race to full on 800 racing. Both races were won by the pairing of Ben McGrane and Olivier Vidal (Selden) showing in the second race that once ahead they had the downwind pace to make sure they were never caught. The closest boats in the first race were Andy Jeffries and Bonnie Moody and Spod Olive and Guy Filmore. Several of the other contenders came unstuck when two black flag general recalls claimed about 10 victims before the race proper finally got underway. The wind swung about 50 degrees between races with the start of this shift catching many boats over the layline to the finish which proved costly for a few including overnight leaders Neil Baker and James Hughes. Race 2 got away cleanly in the new breeze at the first attempt and provided some upwind surfing as the swell rolled in from outside the bay. Andrew Smith and Micky Boughton led at the windward but by the finish McGrane/Vidal had extended to win from Stevie Wilson and Jamie Stewart (Synthesize Yachts and Design) with Justin Deal and Ollie Page (Fat Face) showing a return to form in 3rd. The day was complete with beach games and the daily Duckhams award with the fleet resting some tired bodies ready for day 3. RESULTS AFTER DAY 2 (4 races 1 discard): 1. Ben McGrane and Oliver Vidal (5 points) 2. Neil Baker and James Hughes (9 points) 3. Spod Olive and Guy Filmore (10 points) 4. Stevie Wilson and Jamie Stewart (15 points) 5. Andy Jeffries and Bonnie Moody (18 points) 6. Ben Schooling and Tim Hirst (18 points) The RS800 fleet assembled at Porthpean Sailing Club for their national championships. The first days racing showed the strength in depth which has developed in the fleet recently. Race 1 set off after the wind settled in a gusty force 3-4 with a port biased line. The breeze favoured the left hand side and Spod Olive and Guy Filmore fresh back from a year in Auckland were fastest out of the blocks and lead round the windward mark. Tom Halhead and Christian Humphrey were close behind while some of the other main contenders ended up in less breeze out right. The 3 lap race continued with the fleet spreading out in a slightly building breeze. By the finish Halhead/Humphrey held their lead from Olive/Filmore with the chasing pack at the finish including Ian Martin and Adam Broughton (Kingfisher Yacht Ropes) Neil Baker and James Hughes and Alastair and Penny Shires (Contender Sailcloth). Race 2 saw the fleet heading for the left hand side again but this time Aaron Barden and Rob Hopper took the lead round the windward mark chased hard by Laurie-Fitzjohn Sykes and Dan Allin Brett Elway and Jay Bick (Ronstan) and Charlie Roome and Steve Hall (PwC). Barden/Hopper held their lead until the final beat where Roome/Hall overhauled them as the fleet split across the course. By the finish Roome/Hall just held their lead from the fast finishing Baker/Hughes and Ben McGrane and Olivier Vidal (Selden) claimed 3rd. Tonight sees the Commodores Reception at Porthpean SC with slightly lighter breezes expected for a further two races tomorrow. Racing continues until Friday when the last of the 12 races are due to be completed. Results after Day 1: (2 races) 1. Neil Baker and James Hughes 5 points2. Charlie Roome and Steve Hall 7 points3. Spod Olive and Guy Filmore 7 points4. Ian Martin and Adam Broughton 11 points5. Ben McGrane and Olivier Vidal 12 points6. Tom Halhead and Christian Humphrey 15 points Remember to enter for the Nationals before heading to Garda - the entry fee goes up at the end of this week.Everything is set-up for a fantastic event - not least the warm hospitality and small club feel that the 800 fleet really love - and although no guarantees can be made we have ordered some stunning weather for the week.Full details and entry forms are available at http://champs.rs-association.com/index.asp?fleet=RS800 and champs=Nationalsand more details are below:GUL RS800 NATIONALS 2008PORTHPEAN SAILING CLUB24 29 AUGUST and No.8226; 12 races scheduled on the best racetrack in the UK and No.8226; Legendary Arkie Wainwright as PRO and No.8226; Full social programme including:- beach games- themed pub crawl- live bands and disco- brewery tour (and samples!)- Massive last night party blazers and dresses required and No.8226; Camping available next to the club and No.8226; Famously friendly club enjoy the best of Cornish hospitality and No.8226; Direct access to the best wind/waves in the South and No.8226; Range of prizes for Gold and Silver fleet as well as daily prizes and Buddy-team prizesReduced entry before 28th July entry form and further details on the RS Association website.