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Its
the end of the season....
What a year! Over the past twelve months I am sure that
many of you have stories to tell about this year’s race
circuit. Whether it be watching an RS300 sailor convert
his boat to an RS600 hybrid at Northampton, to sailing
in Garda, or falling off a huge wave at the Nationals in
Looe! This year has seen a large number of newcomers to
the fleet, myself included, as we have all battled to
make the boat go as fast as possible without capsizing!
Congratulations must go to Christian Reynolds as the new
National Champion, who also came a creditable 12th at
this years Endeavour trophy, and also to Ian Marshall
who won this year’s Fat Face race Circuit after a
closely fought battle with Jamie Mawson and Andy Heissig.
Overall the year has seen a strong resurgence in the
RS600 class with used boats being hard to find and
increasing turnouts at circuit events, culminating with
25 boats at this years nationals. Thanks must go to Dave
Nunn for all his hard work as the class representative
for the last three years and here’s hoping that his
replacement Mark Duckworth can take us forward with
another successful race circuit next year!
In this newsletter, as the season draws to an end we
take a look at:
1. Draft RS600
circuit 2007
2. This year’s nationals report
3. Race report from Hayling Island
4. Overall Fat Face Circuit Results
5. Boat maintenance
6. The Inlands at Grafham
7. A theft prevention article by Olly Straker
8. Roundup |
© Paul Wyeth/www.pwpictures.com
© Mike Rice
& Tom Gruitt/www.fotoboat.com |
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Draft RS600 Circuit 2007
Below you
will find the first draft of the 2007 circuit. Please
note that this is a draft and will be confirmed by the
14th December.
24/25 Feb -
Winter Championships, Datchet
3/4 Mar - Dinghy Sailing Show
10/11 Mar - Chew Valley SC, Circuit
31/1 Apr - Oxford SC, Circuit
28/29 Apr - Draycote
12/13 May - Weymouth & Portland NSA, Circuit (T.B.C.)
9/10 Jun - LOS SC, Circuit
14/15 Jul - Weston SC, Circuit (T.B.C.)
23-27 Jul - Travemunde Woche, Eurocup (T.B.C.)
Depending on entries in advance
6-9 Sep - National Championships, Royal Torbay YC
22/23 Sep - Broadstairs, Circuit
13/14 Oct - Inland Championships Northampton SC (T.B.C.) |
© Mike Rice
& Tom Gruitt/www.fotoboat.com |
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The Nationals at Looe
The 2006 GUL
RS600 National Championships took place in picturesque
Looe SC, Cornwall and it will be remembered for a long
time. Over the 4 days all ranges of conditions were
experience with the highlight being the middle two days
of force 5-6 winds and 8-10ft waves providing fantastic
sailing conditions for the RS600.
The 25
strong fleet were welcomed for the first day by blue
skies and a shifty force 2-4. Two races took place where
Christian Reynolds beat Andy Heissig in to second place
in both. In the evening the fleet gathered at the club
for a few beers and a superb buffet, with a Commodore
and Mayor’s welcome.
The second
day saw a strong SE breeze of 20 knots plus, which
caused some big seas and difficult launching conditions;
all of the local tourist boat trips were cancelled! This
led to some entertainment for those watching from the
shore as the fleet battled to get over the breakers,
some successfully and some not so. The 8ft-10ft waves on
the race area provided hard conditions and the whole
fleet experienced some exhilarating sailing. The racing
saw Reynolds and Straker battling it out at the front
for much of the day. A prolonged swim though for
Reynolds in the first race saw Straker finish first
followed by Heissig in second. Unfortunately though,
Straker was disqualified for re-crossing the finish
line, giving the win to Heissig and further problems
were caused as several sailors missed the finish line
due to difficulties seeing the finish mark in the big
seas. This meant that Steve Reeves collected a well
earned third with Dave Nunn in fourth. With Reynolds
leading the fleet home in the other races of the day
from Straker and Jamie Mawson sailing well to pick up a
third in the final race, an exhausted fleet returned
ashore.
The
evening’s entertainment saw a group of 30 plus fill a
local curry house where Miles Woodhouse proved that he
was quick at picking up the art of serving Indian dishes
and assisted the restaurant waiting staff. The big seas
and wind were still there on day three. The pattern of
racing matched that to the previous day with Reynolds
and Straker showing good speed in the breeze. Reynolds
won the first race from Heissig, Staker suffered a
capsize and broken tiller but still managed to come
third, with Nunn in fourth. Heissig won the next race
after Richard Mayo rounded the first mark in the lead,
while Reynolds ‘borrowed’ some fishing lines off the
back of a passing yacht! After the final race, which
Reynolds won again from Straker and Ian Marshall, the
fleet once again returned to shore - with a bang and a
crunch for some! In the evening a tired fleet gathered
in the sailing club bar and enjoyed a few drinks, a bbq
and chatted about ‘getting airborne!’ and other stories
about the fantastic day’s sailing.
The final
day saw light winds. The first race got underway and
with Reynolds watching over Heissig, his nearest
challenger, while Heissig was keeping an eye on Straker
to defend his overall second position. Ian Marshall took
the race honours while the second place for Reynolds
finally gave him the title as National Champion after
coming runner-up numerous times. Heissig’s third gave
him second overall after sailing a very consistent
series discarding two fourth places. The wind dropped
further for the final race which saw Doug Horner round
first. He was caught though and Marshall came through to
win again, putting pressure on Straker’s third overall
spot, but he missed out by 1 point. Jonathan Powell
sailed well to finish in fifth overall.
Many thanks
for the helpers who helped launch the boats, to Looe SC
and to GUL for a fantastic nationals.
Click here for full results |
© Mike Rice
& Tom Gruitt/www.fotoboat.com
© Mike Rice
& Tom Gruitt/www.fotoboat.com
© Mike Rice
& Tom Gruitt/www.fotoboat.com
© Mike Rice
& Tom Gruitt/www.fotoboat.com |
|
Hayling Island
The final event of this
years Fat Face circuit at Hayling Island Sailing club
saw some of the best sailing conditions seen all year
with a consistent force 4 south easterly breeze and
brilliant blue skies making it hard to believe it was
late September. After a short delay whilst held ashore
the 10 competitors made the long sail out of Chichester
Harbour into the middle of Hayling Bay to the large
trapezoidal course that was to be shared with the Rs200
fleet.
Race 1 saw the fleet well
spread down the line with no end appearing favoured.
Local sailor David Acrey showed the way to the circuit
regulars to claim a comfortable bullet. Those chasing
behind quickly picked up on the gains to be made by
hitting the left hand side of the beat and the massive
port tack lift on approaching the windward mark. David
Annan sailed a consistent race to second followed by
Richard Mayo.
Race 2 was sailed in
similar conditions with sea state building as the ebb
tide strengthened. The steep short chop meant boat
handling became increasing tricky with many seen with
the reversing lights on after a botched tack! The top
and bottom reach marks had been adjusted from the first
race to give a tighter and more entertaining course.
Once again Acrey led the pack, followed by an eager Mayo
and Tony Mitchell.
The breeze had built by a
few knots for race 3. The fleet became increasingly
spread out as the lighter helms struggled as the beat
turned into a test of boatspeed. Mayo revelled in the
breeze, followed by Mark Duckworth and David Annan in a
close battle for 2nd. Behind, the final run resembled a
graveyard with many taking their first swim of the day.
The swell and strong ebb tide gave an interesting sail
in over the bar into the harbour entrance with two foot
standing waves to contend with!
Sunday morning saw some
sore heads and a light southerly breeze. The wind filled
in right on cue allowing a prompt trip out to the start.
The overnight calm and flood tide gave flatter water.
With slightly less breeze the fleet enjoyed some close
racing for race 4. Steve Reeves showed impressive height
and speed off the line to take a considerable lead up
the first beat which he never gave up.
The penultimate race had
the first half of the fleet bunched into the windward
mark on port tack. One after another boats parked up in
irons on tacking onto the mark allowing those
approaching on starboard to make significant gains. As
the fleet neared the end of the run the 52 strong RS200
fleet left the line to start up their beat calling for
some major detours. As the beat was shared with the 2s
finding space and clear air was to prove decisive. Acrey
took his third win of the weekend, followed by a much
deserved second for Mitchell.
The final race was
increased from two to three laps. However the breeze
that had proved consistent all weekend had other ideas
dropping to marginal trapeezing during the second lap.
Shortening course came as a relief to most, with Reeves
again taking the win.
Many thanks to Fat Face
and HISC for a smoothly run event in superb conditions.
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