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RS200/RS800 Open at Grafham Water Sailing Club Overall
Author: Pete Vincent
RS200s:
The GUL RS200 Racing Circuit got back on schedule with the re-arranged GUL RS Racing Circuit event at Grafham Water on April 7/8. The event was programmed for Bristol Corinthian YC the previous weekend; unfortunately Foot and Mouth hit Somerset and BCYC was closed as a result. Grafham Water at very short notice agreed to step in and run the event; the short notice of change of venue and weekend meant there was a reduced fleet of 26 boats. Those that did make the trip were treated to a superb event, the race management was first class, there was good wind throughout and for the second weekend in a row a GUL RS Racing Circuit event produced a dead heat and racing that went right down to the wire.
Saturday's racing was held in a good force 4 from the NW with short bursts of stronger wind. There had been some gentle ribbing on the shore as to how some of the RS400 sailors making guest appearances were going to get on. It was with horror that most of the fleet saw Pete Vincent/Trudie Danbury hold a good lead at mark one. They need not have worried, the RS Association Secretary briefs race officers on courses, briefs competitors and generally should know what is going on; he of course set off for the wrong mark taking most of the fleet with him, ending up beating back for mark 2 and rounding it last. Once Tom and Jo Hewitson had stopped giggling at these antics they sailed fast to win the race with Malcolm/Poppy Morley second and Cliff Milliner/Becky Wheatcroft third. Race 2 probably had the strongest breeze of the weekend which clearly suited the fat lumps, Crain Burlton/James Stewart pulled out a good lead with Jon Lewis/Paula and Pete Vincent constantly swapping places well clear in second/third. Burlton went to the finish line a lap to early allowing Lewis to close right up on him. Lewis had a real speed advantage downwind and only some frantic luffing gave Burlton a 5ft winning margin from Lewis with Vincent third and the Hewitsons 4th.
Burlton was doing well in race 3 only to discover that even with their pork a 200 does not go well to windward with the spinnaker up as the kite got stuck. Lewis then seemed to have the race under control but it was not a day to lead, a windy gybe into the leeward mark was only saved by a hand stand on the centreboard. Having recovered they realised they had missed the mark and had to unwind themselves. The Hewitsons, boat again vibrating with giggling, jumped into the lead to win from Lewis, the fast finishing team of Paul/Caroline Fisk and Vincent.
There was plenty to talk about that evening and even though there were very tired bodies the 200's enjoyed themselves in style.
Sunday dawned with white tops on the waves but come the start of the first race the wind was down to force 3-4. The Vincent/Danbury hangover team stormed into a good lead but found the lighter wind runs not to their liking. The Fisk's were able to sail lower and soon gained the lead to win
from Burlton, Hewitsons and Vincent. In Race 5 Burlton and up all night Stewart had a classic leeward end start and had a good lead by mark 2; the Fisk's again had better speed on the runs but Burlton hung on to win from the Fisks. Other boats were finding the more moderate wind much more to their liking, Steve and Katie Restall from Downs were third, Cliff Milliner fourth and Ian Pickard/Sammy Byron fifth.
Going into the final race the event was wide open, Burlton and Hewitson both had a DNF and had to count the final race; The Fisk's looked favourite as they had five good results. In true style all the leading contenders were well in the hunt at the first mark but this was to be a nervous race as the wind had become much more patchy. Lewis, having had a disaster of Sunday, got his act together and gained the lead at the halfway point to win; behind places changed regularly but the Fisk's seemed to be heading for overall victory with second place. Unfortunately they had gone too early at the leeward end at the start and were OCS. Burlton gained second with Hewitson third and Chris/Rachael Jenkins fourth. Burlton and Hewitson were now tied on 12 points, both having won two races but Burlton gained overall victory at his first GUL RS200 Racing Circuit event on count back of second places.
Grafham had done a superb job of running the event; if the next GUL RS Racing Circuit event at East Lothian YC on May 5/6 produces finishes as close as Northampton and Grafham then we are going to run out of nervous energy.
RS800s:
The GUL RS800 Racing Circuit got back on schedule with the re-arranged GUL RS Racing Circuit event at Grafham Water on April 7/8. The event was programmed for Bristol Corinthian YC the previous weekend; unfortunately Foot and Mouth hit Somerset and BCYC was closed as a result. Grafham Water
at very short notice agreed to step in and run the event; the short notice of change of venue and weekend meant there was a reduced fleet of 21 boats. Those that did make the trip were treated to a superb event, the race management was first class, there was good wind throughout and for the
second weekend in a row a GUL RS Racing Circuit event produced a dead heat and racing that went right down to the wire.
Saturday racing was held in a good force 4 with bursts of stronger wind which produced superb sailing whilst testing boat handling skills to the full. In Race 1 the new 800 team of Steve Irish and Martin Gotrel looked as if they had been sailing RS800's for years as they pulled out a big lead. Unfortunately counting was not their strong point as they started a lap too many, canny West Country sailors Mike and Anne Way knew what was going on though and reached off to the finishing area to win the race with Tim and Jo Johnson second and Buzz Keck/Charlie Merchant third.
Buzz and Charlie really enjoyed the fresher wind for race 2 to win with Steve and Martin grateful for a pathfinder to lead the way in second; these two were well clear of Lee Sydenham/Anne Vaudry and Paddy Gamble/Lou Carter who pulled through the fleet to claim third and fourth. Race 3 was really decided just after the first windward mark, Sydenham in second gybed immediately and disappeared in the type of gust that takes you straight to the leeward mark you dream about. The Sydenham/Vaudrey team had such a big margin they could even survive trawling the kite on the final reach. Buzz won the fight for second from the Johnson's and Irish.
Most of the fleet were grateful for the more moderate conditions on Sunday after such hard sailing on Saturday and the Pete Vincent led rum assault course on Saturday night. The change in conditions allowed some of the teams that had moved into 800's over the winter to show their form and promise.
In a force 3-4 for race 4 Sydenham led but then fell into a hole at the third windward mark, Irish grabbed his chance to win the race from the Ways and Sydenham with Mike Speller/Rob Burridge fourth. Race 5 saw some big shifts on the first beat but the Irish/Gotrel team took this in their stride to win with the Johnson's second, Speller third and another Plymouth team, Dan Fellows/Clare Dudley, fourth. Behind places 6 to 15 gave the Race Officer a nightmare by all trying to finish at the same time.
Going into the final race there were four possible winners. Steve Irish and Lee Sydenham had the better results but both were carrying a disaster, Buzz had not been able to find Saturdays form but was the most consistent whilst the Ways also had four good results but a DNF. Mick Whitmore and Sarah Smith from the growing 800 fleet at Eastbourne enjoyed the conditions to record a good win. Behind Irish seemed to have everything under control in second place until the penultimate run when they trawled the kite allowing Sydenham and Spod Olive through. Then a real disaster struck, the kite trawl had damaged the spinnaker halyard block on the mast and they were unable to hoist the kite for the final short run to the finish. Mike Speller got through and the finish line could not come quick enough as the pair limped across in fifth as a whole pack of boats threatened to swallow them up. This left Irish and Sydenham tied on 13 points with Irish claiming a deserved victory on the basis of winning one more race than Sydenham.
With many new faces to the 800 fleet showing so well over the weekend we can guarantee that the GUL RS800 Racing Circuit is going to see plenty of action packed racing and more tight finishes this season.
Author: Pete Vincent
RS200s:
The GUL RS200 Racing Circuit got back on schedule with the re-arranged GUL RS Racing Circuit event at Grafham Water on April 7/8. The event was programmed for Bristol Corinthian YC the previous weekend; unfortunately Foot and Mouth hit Somerset and BCYC was closed as a result. Grafham Water at very short notice agreed to step in and run the event; the short notice of change of venue and weekend meant there was a reduced fleet of 26 boats. Those that did make the trip were treated to a superb event, the race management was first class, there was good wind throughout and for the second weekend in a row a GUL RS Racing Circuit event produced a dead heat and racing that went right down to the wire.
Saturday's racing was held in a good force 4 from the NW with short bursts of stronger wind. There had been some gentle ribbing on the shore as to how some of the RS400 sailors making guest appearances were going to get on. It was with horror that most of the fleet saw Pete Vincent/Trudie Danbury hold a good lead at mark one. They need not have worried, the RS Association Secretary briefs race officers on courses, briefs competitors and generally should know what is going on; he of course set off for the wrong mark taking most of the fleet with him, ending up beating back for mark 2 and rounding it last. Once Tom and Jo Hewitson had stopped giggling at these antics they sailed fast to win the race with Malcolm/Poppy Morley second and Cliff Milliner/Becky Wheatcroft third. Race 2 probably had the strongest breeze of the weekend which clearly suited the fat lumps, Crain Burlton/James Stewart pulled out a good lead with Jon Lewis/Paula and Pete Vincent constantly swapping places well clear in second/third. Burlton went to the finish line a lap to early allowing Lewis to close right up on him. Lewis had a real speed advantage downwind and only some frantic luffing gave Burlton a 5ft winning margin from Lewis with Vincent third and the Hewitsons 4th.
Burlton was doing well in race 3 only to discover that even with their pork a 200 does not go well to windward with the spinnaker up as the kite got stuck. Lewis then seemed to have the race under control but it was not a day to lead, a windy gybe into the leeward mark was only saved by a hand stand on the centreboard. Having recovered they realised they had missed the mark and had to unwind themselves. The Hewitsons, boat again vibrating with giggling, jumped into the lead to win from Lewis, the fast finishing team of Paul/Caroline Fisk and Vincent.
There was plenty to talk about that evening and even though there were very tired bodies the 200's enjoyed themselves in style.
Sunday dawned with white tops on the waves but come the start of the first race the wind was down to force 3-4. The Vincent/Danbury hangover team stormed into a good lead but found the lighter wind runs not to their liking. The Fisk's were able to sail lower and soon gained the lead to win
from Burlton, Hewitsons and Vincent. In Race 5 Burlton and up all night Stewart had a classic leeward end start and had a good lead by mark 2; the Fisk's again had better speed on the runs but Burlton hung on to win from the Fisks. Other boats were finding the more moderate wind much more to their liking, Steve and Katie Restall from Downs were third, Cliff Milliner fourth and Ian Pickard/Sammy Byron fifth.
Going into the final race the event was wide open, Burlton and Hewitson both had a DNF and had to count the final race; The Fisk's looked favourite as they had five good results. In true style all the leading contenders were well in the hunt at the first mark but this was to be a nervous race as the wind had become much more patchy. Lewis, having had a disaster of Sunday, got his act together and gained the lead at the halfway point to win; behind places changed regularly but the Fisk's seemed to be heading for overall victory with second place. Unfortunately they had gone too early at the leeward end at the start and were OCS. Burlton gained second with Hewitson third and Chris/Rachael Jenkins fourth. Burlton and Hewitson were now tied on 12 points, both having won two races but Burlton gained overall victory at his first GUL RS200 Racing Circuit event on count back of second places.
Grafham had done a superb job of running the event; if the next GUL RS Racing Circuit event at East Lothian YC on May 5/6 produces finishes as close as Northampton and Grafham then we are going to run out of nervous energy.
RS800s:
The GUL RS800 Racing Circuit got back on schedule with the re-arranged GUL RS Racing Circuit event at Grafham Water on April 7/8. The event was programmed for Bristol Corinthian YC the previous weekend; unfortunately Foot and Mouth hit Somerset and BCYC was closed as a result. Grafham Water
at very short notice agreed to step in and run the event; the short notice of change of venue and weekend meant there was a reduced fleet of 21 boats. Those that did make the trip were treated to a superb event, the race management was first class, there was good wind throughout and for the
second weekend in a row a GUL RS Racing Circuit event produced a dead heat and racing that went right down to the wire.
Saturday racing was held in a good force 4 with bursts of stronger wind which produced superb sailing whilst testing boat handling skills to the full. In Race 1 the new 800 team of Steve Irish and Martin Gotrel looked as if they had been sailing RS800's for years as they pulled out a big lead. Unfortunately counting was not their strong point as they started a lap too many, canny West Country sailors Mike and Anne Way knew what was going on though and reached off to the finishing area to win the race with Tim and Jo Johnson second and Buzz Keck/Charlie Merchant third.
Buzz and Charlie really enjoyed the fresher wind for race 2 to win with Steve and Martin grateful for a pathfinder to lead the way in second; these two were well clear of Lee Sydenham/Anne Vaudry and Paddy Gamble/Lou Carter who pulled through the fleet to claim third and fourth. Race 3 was really decided just after the first windward mark, Sydenham in second gybed immediately and disappeared in the type of gust that takes you straight to the leeward mark you dream about. The Sydenham/Vaudrey team had such a big margin they could even survive trawling the kite on the final reach. Buzz won the fight for second from the Johnson's and Irish.
Most of the fleet were grateful for the more moderate conditions on Sunday after such hard sailing on Saturday and the Pete Vincent led rum assault course on Saturday night. The change in conditions allowed some of the teams that had moved into 800's over the winter to show their form and promise.
In a force 3-4 for race 4 Sydenham led but then fell into a hole at the third windward mark, Irish grabbed his chance to win the race from the Ways and Sydenham with Mike Speller/Rob Burridge fourth. Race 5 saw some big shifts on the first beat but the Irish/Gotrel team took this in their stride to win with the Johnson's second, Speller third and another Plymouth team, Dan Fellows/Clare Dudley, fourth. Behind places 6 to 15 gave the Race Officer a nightmare by all trying to finish at the same time.
Going into the final race there were four possible winners. Steve Irish and Lee Sydenham had the better results but both were carrying a disaster, Buzz had not been able to find Saturdays form but was the most consistent whilst the Ways also had four good results but a DNF. Mick Whitmore and Sarah Smith from the growing 800 fleet at Eastbourne enjoyed the conditions to record a good win. Behind Irish seemed to have everything under control in second place until the penultimate run when they trawled the kite allowing Sydenham and Spod Olive through. Then a real disaster struck, the kite trawl had damaged the spinnaker halyard block on the mast and they were unable to hoist the kite for the final short run to the finish. Mike Speller got through and the finish line could not come quick enough as the pair limped across in fifth as a whole pack of boats threatened to swallow them up. This left Irish and Sydenham tied on 13 points with Irish claiming a deserved victory on the basis of winning one more race than Sydenham.
With many new faces to the 800 fleet showing so well over the weekend we can guarantee that the GUL RS800 Racing Circuit is going to see plenty of action packed racing and more tight finishes this season.
Author: Pete Vincent
RS200s:
The GUL RS200 Racing Circuit got back on schedule with the re-arranged GUL RS Racing Circuit event at Grafham Water on April 7/8. The event was programmed for Bristol Corinthian YC the previous weekend; unfortunately Foot and Mouth hit Somerset and BCYC was closed as a result. Grafham Water at very short notice agreed to step in and run the event; the short notice of change of venue and weekend meant there was a reduced fleet of 26 boats. Those that did make the trip were treated to a superb event, the race management was first class, there was good wind throughout and for the second weekend in a row a GUL RS Racing Circuit event produced a dead heat and racing that went right down to the wire.
Saturday's racing was held in a good force 4 from the NW with short bursts of stronger wind. There had been some gentle ribbing on the shore as to how some of the RS400 sailors making guest appearances were going to get on. It was with horror that most of the fleet saw Pete Vincent/Trudie Danbury hold a good lead at mark one. They need not have worried, the RS Association Secretary briefs race officers on courses, briefs competitors and generally should know what is going on; he of course set off for the wrong mark taking most of the fleet with him, ending up beating back for mark 2 and rounding it last. Once Tom and Jo Hewitson had stopped giggling at these antics they sailed fast to win the race with Malcolm/Poppy Morley second and Cliff Milliner/Becky Wheatcroft third. Race 2 probably had the strongest breeze of the weekend which clearly suited the fat lumps, Crain Burlton/James Stewart pulled out a good lead with Jon Lewis/Paula and Pete Vincent constantly swapping places well clear in second/third. Burlton went to the finish line a lap to early allowing Lewis to close right up on him. Lewis had a real speed advantage downwind and only some frantic luffing gave Burlton a 5ft winning margin from Lewis with Vincent third and the Hewitsons 4th.
Burlton was doing well in race 3 only to discover that even with their pork a 200 does not go well to windward with the spinnaker up as the kite got stuck. Lewis then seemed to have the race under control but it was not a day to lead, a windy gybe into the leeward mark was only saved by a hand stand on the centreboard. Having recovered they realised they had missed the mark and had to unwind themselves. The Hewitsons, boat again vibrating with giggling, jumped into the lead to win from Lewis, the fast finishing team of Paul/Caroline Fisk and Vincent.
There was plenty to talk about that evening and even though there were very tired bodies the 200's enjoyed themselves in style.
Sunday dawned with white tops on the waves but come the start of the first race the wind was down to force 3-4. The Vincent/Danbury hangover team stormed into a good lead but found the lighter wind runs not to their liking. The Fisk's were able to sail lower and soon gained the lead to win
from Burlton, Hewitsons and Vincent. In Race 5 Burlton and up all night Stewart had a classic leeward end start and had a good lead by mark 2; the Fisk's again had better speed on the runs but Burlton hung on to win from the Fisks. Other boats were finding the more moderate wind much more to their liking, Steve and Katie Restall from Downs were third, Cliff Milliner fourth and Ian Pickard/Sammy Byron fifth.
Going into the final race the event was wide open, Burlton and Hewitson both had a DNF and had to count the final race; The Fisk's looked favourite as they had five good results. In true style all the leading contenders were well in the hunt at the first mark but this was to be a nervous race as the wind had become much more patchy. Lewis, having had a disaster of Sunday, got his act together and gained the lead at the halfway point to win; behind places changed regularly but the Fisk's seemed to be heading for overall victory with second place. Unfortunately they had gone too early at the leeward end at the start and were OCS. Burlton gained second with Hewitson third and Chris/Rachael Jenkins fourth. Burlton and Hewitson were now tied on 12 points, both having won two races but Burlton gained overall victory at his first GUL RS200 Racing Circuit event on count back of second places.
Grafham had done a superb job of running the event; if the next GUL RS Racing Circuit event at East Lothian YC on May 5/6 produces finishes as close as Northampton and Grafham then we are going to run out of nervous energy.
RS800s:
The GUL RS800 Racing Circuit got back on schedule with the re-arranged GUL RS Racing Circuit event at Grafham Water on April 7/8. The event was programmed for Bristol Corinthian YC the previous weekend; unfortunately Foot and Mouth hit Somerset and BCYC was closed as a result. Grafham Water
at very short notice agreed to step in and run the event; the short notice of change of venue and weekend meant there was a reduced fleet of 21 boats. Those that did make the trip were treated to a superb event, the race management was first class, there was good wind throughout and for the
second weekend in a row a GUL RS Racing Circuit event produced a dead heat and racing that went right down to the wire.
Saturday racing was held in a good force 4 with bursts of stronger wind which produced superb sailing whilst testing boat handling skills to the full. In Race 1 the new 800 team of Steve Irish and Martin Gotrel looked as if they had been sailing RS800's for years as they pulled out a big lead. Unfortunately counting was not their strong point as they started a lap too many, canny West Country sailors Mike and Anne Way knew what was going on though and reached off to the finishing area to win the race with Tim and Jo Johnson second and Buzz Keck/Charlie Merchant third.
Buzz and Charlie really enjoyed the fresher wind for race 2 to win with Steve and Martin grateful for a pathfinder to lead the way in second; these two were well clear of Lee Sydenham/Anne Vaudry and Paddy Gamble/Lou Carter who pulled through the fleet to claim third and fourth. Race 3 was really decided just after the first windward mark, Sydenham in second gybed immediately and disappeared in the type of gust that takes you straight to the leeward mark you dream about. The Sydenham/Vaudrey team had such a big margin they could even survive trawling the kite on the final reach. Buzz won the fight for second from the Johnson's and Irish.
Most of the fleet were grateful for the more moderate conditions on Sunday after such hard sailing on Saturday and the Pete Vincent led rum assault course on Saturday night. The change in conditions allowed some of the teams that had moved into 800's over the winter to show their form and promise.
In a force 3-4 for race 4 Sydenham led but then fell into a hole at the third windward mark, Irish grabbed his chance to win the race from the Ways and Sydenham with Mike Speller/Rob Burridge fourth. Race 5 saw some big shifts on the first beat but the Irish/Gotrel team took this in their stride to win with the Johnson's second, Speller third and another Plymouth team, Dan Fellows/Clare Dudley, fourth. Behind places 6 to 15 gave the Race Officer a nightmare by all trying to finish at the same time.
Going into the final race there were four possible winners. Steve Irish and Lee Sydenham had the better results but both were carrying a disaster, Buzz had not been able to find Saturdays form but was the most consistent whilst the Ways also had four good results but a DNF. Mick Whitmore and Sarah Smith from the growing 800 fleet at Eastbourne enjoyed the conditions to record a good win. Behind Irish seemed to have everything under control in second place until the penultimate run when they trawled the kite allowing Sydenham and Spod Olive through. Then a real disaster struck, the kite trawl had damaged the spinnaker halyard block on the mast and they were unable to hoist the kite for the final short run to the finish. Mike Speller got through and the finish line could not come quick enough as the pair limped across in fifth as a whole pack of boats threatened to swallow them up. This left Irish and Sydenham tied on 13 points with Irish claiming a deserved victory on the basis of winning one more race than Sydenham.
With many new faces to the 800 fleet showing so well over the weekend we can guarantee that the GUL RS800 Racing Circuit is going to see plenty of action packed racing and more tight finishes this season.
Author: Pete Vincent
RS200s:
The GUL RS200 Racing Circuit got back on schedule with the re-arranged GUL RS Racing Circuit event at Grafham Water on April 7/8. The event was programmed for Bristol Corinthian YC the previous weekend; unfortunately Foot and Mouth hit Somerset and BCYC was closed as a result. Grafham Water at very short notice agreed to step in and run the event; the short notice of change of venue and weekend meant there was a reduced fleet of 26 boats. Those that did make the trip were treated to a superb event, the race management was first class, there was good wind throughout and for the second weekend in a row a GUL RS Racing Circuit event produced a dead heat and racing that went right down to the wire.
Saturday's racing was held in a good force 4 from the NW with short bursts of stronger wind. There had been some gentle ribbing on the shore as to how some of the RS400 sailors making guest appearances were going to get on. It was with horror that most of the fleet saw Pete Vincent/Trudie Danbury hold a good lead at mark one. They need not have worried, the RS Association Secretary briefs race officers on courses, briefs competitors and generally should know what is going on; he of course set off for the wrong mark taking most of the fleet with him, ending up beating back for mark 2 and rounding it last. Once Tom and Jo Hewitson had stopped giggling at these antics they sailed fast to win the race with Malcolm/Poppy Morley second and Cliff Milliner/Becky Wheatcroft third. Race 2 probably had the strongest breeze of the weekend which clearly suited the fat lumps, Crain Burlton/James Stewart pulled out a good lead with Jon Lewis/Paula and Pete Vincent constantly swapping places well clear in second/third. Burlton went to the finish line a lap to early allowing Lewis to close right up on him. Lewis had a real speed advantage downwind and only some frantic luffing gave Burlton a 5ft winning margin from Lewis with Vincent third and the Hewitsons 4th.
Burlton was doing well in race 3 only to discover that even with their pork a 200 does not go well to windward with the spinnaker up as the kite got stuck. Lewis then seemed to have the race under control but it was not a day to lead, a windy gybe into the leeward mark was only saved by a hand stand on the centreboard. Having recovered they realised they had missed the mark and had to unwind themselves. The Hewitsons, boat again vibrating with giggling, jumped into the lead to win from Lewis, the fast finishing team of Paul/Caroline Fisk and Vincent.
There was plenty to talk about that evening and even though there were very tired bodies the 200's enjoyed themselves in style.
Sunday dawned with white tops on the waves but come the start of the first race the wind was down to force 3-4. The Vincent/Danbury hangover team stormed into a good lead but found the lighter wind runs not to their liking. The Fisk's were able to sail lower and soon gained the lead to win
from Burlton, Hewitsons and Vincent. In Race 5 Burlton and up all night Stewart had a classic leeward end start and had a good lead by mark 2; the Fisk's again had better speed on the runs but Burlton hung on to win from the Fisks. Other boats were finding the more moderate wind much more to their liking, Steve and Katie Restall from Downs were third, Cliff Milliner fourth and Ian Pickard/Sammy Byron fifth.
Going into the final race the event was wide open, Burlton and Hewitson both had a DNF and had to count the final race; The Fisk's looked favourite as they had five good results. In true style all the leading contenders were well in the hunt at the first mark but this was to be a nervous race as the wind had become much more patchy. Lewis, having had a disaster of Sunday, got his act together and gained the lead at the halfway point to win; behind places changed regularly but the Fisk's seemed to be heading for overall victory with second place. Unfortunately they had gone too early at the leeward end at the start and were OCS. Burlton gained second with Hewitson third and Chris/Rachael Jenkins fourth. Burlton and Hewitson were now tied on 12 points, both having won two races but Burlton gained overall victory at his first GUL RS200 Racing Circuit event on count back of second places.
Grafham had done a superb job of running the event; if the next GUL RS Racing Circuit event at East Lothian YC on May 5/6 produces finishes as close as Northampton and Grafham then we are going to run out of nervous energy.
RS800s:
The GUL RS800 Racing Circuit got back on schedule with the re-arranged GUL RS Racing Circuit event at Grafham Water on April 7/8. The event was programmed for Bristol Corinthian YC the previous weekend; unfortunately Foot and Mouth hit Somerset and BCYC was closed as a result. Grafham Water
at very short notice agreed to step in and run the event; the short notice of change of venue and weekend meant there was a reduced fleet of 21 boats. Those that did make the trip were treated to a superb event, the race management was first class, there was good wind throughout and for the
second weekend in a row a GUL RS Racing Circuit event produced a dead heat and racing that went right down to the wire.
Saturday racing was held in a good force 4 with bursts of stronger wind which produced superb sailing whilst testing boat handling skills to the full. In Race 1 the new 800 team of Steve Irish and Martin Gotrel looked as if they had been sailing RS800's for years as they pulled out a big lead. Unfortunately counting was not their strong point as they started a lap too many, canny West Country sailors Mike and Anne Way knew what was going on though and reached off to the finishing area to win the race with Tim and Jo Johnson second and Buzz Keck/Charlie Merchant third.
Buzz and Charlie really enjoyed the fresher wind for race 2 to win with Steve and Martin grateful for a pathfinder to lead the way in second; these two were well clear of Lee Sydenham/Anne Vaudry and Paddy Gamble/Lou Carter who pulled through the fleet to claim third and fourth. Race 3 was really decided just after the first windward mark, Sydenham in second gybed immediately and disappeared in the type of gust that takes you straight to the leeward mark you dream about. The Sydenham/Vaudrey team had such a big margin they could even survive trawling the kite on the final reach. Buzz won the fight for second from the Johnson's and Irish.
Most of the fleet were grateful for the more moderate conditions on Sunday after such hard sailing on Saturday and the Pete Vincent led rum assault course on Saturday night. The change in conditions allowed some of the teams that had moved into 800's over the winter to show their form and promise.
In a force 3-4 for race 4 Sydenham led but then fell into a hole at the third windward mark, Irish grabbed his chance to win the race from the Ways and Sydenham with Mike Speller/Rob Burridge fourth. Race 5 saw some big shifts on the first beat but the Irish/Gotrel team took this in their stride to win with the Johnson's second, Speller third and another Plymouth team, Dan Fellows/Clare Dudley, fourth. Behind places 6 to 15 gave the Race Officer a nightmare by all trying to finish at the same time.
Going into the final race there were four possible winners. Steve Irish and Lee Sydenham had the better results but both were carrying a disaster, Buzz had not been able to find Saturdays form but was the most consistent whilst the Ways also had four good results but a DNF. Mick Whitmore and Sarah Smith from the growing 800 fleet at Eastbourne enjoyed the conditions to record a good win. Behind Irish seemed to have everything under control in second place until the penultimate run when they trawled the kite allowing Sydenham and Spod Olive through. Then a real disaster struck, the kite trawl had damaged the spinnaker halyard block on the mast and they were unable to hoist the kite for the final short run to the finish. Mike Speller got through and the finish line could not come quick enough as the pair limped across in fifth as a whole pack of boats threatened to swallow them up. This left Irish and Sydenham tied on 13 points with Irish claiming a deserved victory on the basis of winning one more race than Sydenham.
With many new faces to the 800 fleet showing so well over the weekend we can guarantee that the GUL RS800 Racing Circuit is going to see plenty of action packed racing and more tight finishes this season.
RS200 (6 races, 5 to count, 26 entries)
PosSail NoHelmCrewClubR1R2R3R4R5R6Pts
1328Craig BurltonJames StewartBlithfield SC61DNF212122655Tom HewitsonJoRNCYC1413DNF3123626Paul FiskCaroline FiskBough Beech SC46312OCS164654Jonathan LewisPaula MiracleBurghfield SC5221181185450Pete VincentTrudie DanburyBristol CYC2134467246550Cliff MillinerBecky WheatcroftCotswold SC391164527
RS800 (6 races, 5 to count, 21 entries)
PosSail NoHelmCrewClubR1R2R3R4R5R6Pts
1922Steve IrishMartin GotrelDraycote SC1724115132935Lee SydenhamAnne VaudryHISC431392133819Buzz KeckCharlie MerchantOxford SC312678194908Mike WayAnne WayMayflower SC1DNF52610245874Tim JohnsonJo JohnsonCVLSC2831129246853Mike SpellerRob BurridgeMinnis Bay / Weirwood99643426
More Information:
- YachtsandYachting.com RS200 Page
- YachtsandYachting.com RS800 Page
- Grafham Water Sailing Club
See also: CREEKMORE 7M for sale
