Results / RS700 National Championship Eastbourne Sovereign SC - 05/09/2019

CONGRATULATIONS TO THEO GALYER

2019 NATIONAL CHAMPION

Prize winner list below reports

Weekend results below full championship results at page bottom

Ben Daigneault has made fab daily videos here:  Day one, Day two, Day three, Day four

ESSC have made an amazing gallery of all their photos and videos here

RS700 Volvo Noble Marine National Championship 2019 supported by Hyde Sails

Day One Report, Thursday 5 September

The RS700 fleet started the 2019 Volvo Noble Marine National Championship supported by Hyde Sails in Eastbourne in bright sunshine and a Force two to four Northerly wind.  With the following day’s forecast looking fresh to fruity, the decision was made to sail three races on the first day rather than the advertised two.

The Northerly wind was proving gusty and shifty with all points of the compass represented.  The first race saw the fleet spread across the first beat from left to right and those tacking up the middle.  Banging right paid up the first beat with Roland Smith first around the windward mark with Rich Lilley hot on his heals.  Many positions were exchanged, but to everyone’s surprise (including his own) Richard Wadsworth sneaked passed everyone on the final leg to take the win.

Following his success in the first race Richard Wadsworth was keen to continue to impress so he proceeded to impale himself on the committee boat at the start.   Not content with the first impact (once pushed off), the Punisher re-engaged the committee boat and dismasted it and all the flags.  Meanwhile, Robbie Bell, reigning National and European Champion, powered to the front of the fleet showing glimpses of his championship winning form to take a comfortable win.

Race three began in shifty trapezing conditions with Theo Galyer and James Bayliss arriving at the windward mark together.  James was so excited about the prospect of coming first around the windward mark he decided to modify the racing rules of sailing to his advantage to squeeze the class chairman “out of position” and into a lively discussion about who should do turns.  Luckily, this was quickly forgotten about as the class is such a friendly group of drinker.  Theo  fired off downwind to take the win and the overall lead of the day.

Day one was sponsored by Rooster.  Not only are they giving prizes for the first two days’ racing but they have also provided every competitor with one of their brand new Joey Bottle Holders so all our water bottles will stay securely in the boat while we’re out on the sea, regardless of just how epic the pitch-pole might be…

Report by Richard Wadsworth

Day Two Report, Friday September

With 25kts screaming across the course the fleet gingerly ventured out for a planned two races on day two of the regatta.   It was clear from the pre-start circus that it was going to be a challenging day!

The race started with 75% upright and the fleet charged up the first beat.  Unfortunately the championship leader and class chairman Theo Galyer lost his mast by meditating after the start.  This providing an added incentive to the chasing pack.  Robbie Bell was fastest despite nursing a tack bar that has come out on one side!  Matt Carter was second to the windward mark and Richard Wadsworth third.  Richard hoisted when others didn’t and sailed over Matt, who was feeling nervous after a pre-start pitch pole and was more cautious, and nearly caught Robbie who was also nervous on the hoist.  Richard promptly swam in the gybe and lost his gains!

Robbie again flew upwind with Matt and Richard chasing.  Colin Dacey and Jack Napolitano were steaming up to take advantage of any more spills.  Matt spilt in on the final tack letting Richard through and was upright again to round just ahead of Colin.  Robbie steamed downwind under one sail and survived with just three capsizes to remain in the lead until the finish.  Richard kept second and Matt stayed ahead of the pack for third.

All the RS700s, except Theo, who had started finished in great shape and watched the carnage across the RS800 fleet who were keeping the eight ribs busy.  So much so that the race officer canned the second race allowing the fleet to return for an early shower.

Report by Matt Carter

Day Three Report, Saturday 7 September

Race Five:  The fleet got away cleanly at the start.  Theo Galyer showed superior speed with his new mast to take the win by some margin over a four lap course.  The race for second was keenly fought between Richard Wadsworth, Pete Purkiss and Matt Carter.  Richard finished second by a skull with Pete in third and Matt close in fourth.

Race Six:  The race started with a major starboard bias and two premature starters.  Matt Carter judged the beat perfectly to round the windward mark first.  He went on to win with a clear margin.  The pack behind had close racing with Robbie Bell coming through the fleet to take second in a close battle with Pete Purkiss losing three places between the leeward mark and the finish after being rolled by Theo and.  Richard Lilley finished fourth.

Race Seven:  Colin Dacey rounded the windward mark first closely followed by Robbie Bell and James Bayliss.  Colin and Robbie hoisted their kites prematurely prior to a major gust which sent them too low for the next mark.  James proved that even the blind pig finds the odd truffle to take the win over a frustrated class chairman.  Pete had a blinding last leg to snatch third place at the pin end of the finish line.  Robbie finished fourth with Colin in fifth.

Report by Pete Purkiss

Day Four Report, Sunday 8 September

After racing on Saturday the fleet had the long awaited Hyde Sails spinnaker raffle draw.  The lucky winner was Stephen Carr from Brightlingsea SC.  Congratulations on winning a brand new spinnaker Stephen!

Race One:  The day started with Theo Galyer needing just one more top result to secure the championship and Robbie Bell in hot pursuit ready to take advantage of any slip up.  Richard Wadsworth, Pete Purkiss and Matt Carter all started the day in a fight for third.

The fleet launched in a bright fresh morning for a 1000hrs start with 10 knott Northerly which steadily increased ahead of the start.  Robbie won the first beat just ahead of Matt Carter and Theo Gayler.  Theo then powered to first down the first downwind leg and battled with Robbie for the next two laps.

Richard recovered after a second row start to overtake Matt on the second beat.  Matt chased hard downwind and recovered third position only to lose it again on the last beat.  Richard proceeded to charge forward to catch Theo and Robbie by the end of the last downwind leg.  Theo managed to round first just ahead of Robbie and Richard setting up a tense close reach to the finish.  Theo maintained his lead by a boat’s length to take the bullet and the championship with Robbie just holding off Richard.

Race Two:  With first and second wrapped up by Theo and Robbie the battle in the last race of the Championship was for third between Rich Wadsworth who was one point ahead of Matt Carter. The wind had moderated slightly and became more inconsistent making the challenge more unpredictable.  Theo took himself away from the contest by sailing away into the lead by some distance after the first lap.  Richard and Matt battled all the way around the course up and downwind changing positions several times on each leg.  The racing was tense and made more so by the random gust and shifts crossing the course.  By the end of the final beat Richard rounded about three boat lengths ahead of Matt and sailed off to the right closely followed by Robbie. Matt gybed off with Matt Conner and James Bayliss to have the starboard advantage at the finish line.  A line of pressure just 100 meters from the finish carried Matt, Matt Conner and James to the line just ahead of Richard and Robbie.

The fantastic event finished with Theo having dominated the event and sailing superbly to a very well deserved first National Championship title.  Robbie came second and Matt third.  The event provided amazing racing in challenging conditions made better with excellent race management, plenty of sunshine and great socials.  Thank you very much to ESSC!  Thank you to our event sponsors: Volvo, Noble Marine, Hyde Sails, Rooster, RS Sailing, Harken, The Wine Gift Centre, Sea Change wine, and Nairns. 

Report by Matt Carter

Prize Winner List:

2019 RS700 National Champion:                 Theo Galyer from Hayling Island SC

2^nd place:                                                             Robbie Bell from Snettisham Beach SC

3^rd place:                                                              Matt Carter from Lancing SC

4^th place:                                                              Richard Wadsworth from RNSA and Stokes Bay SC

5^th place:                                                              Pete Purkiss from Brightlingsea SC

Silver Division Winner:                                   Matt Conner from Queen Mary SC

1^st Master:                                                          Pete Purkiss from Brightlingsea SC

Fidelis Trophy:                                                   Phillip Highfield from Great Yarmouth and Gorleston SC

Apprentice Trophy:                                         Nick Heather from Royal Windermere YC & South Windermere SC

Endeavour Trophy:                                         Matt Conner from Queen Mary SC

Buddy Prize:                                                       Matt Carter and James Bayliss

Top Club:                                                             Snettisham Beach SC

Wooden Spoon:                                               Richard Wadsworth for punishing the committee boat

Hyde Sails Spinnaker Winner:                     Stephen Carr from Brightlingsea SC

RS700 National’s Weekend, Part of the RS700 Rooster National Tour:

1^st place:                                                              Theo Galyer

2^nd place:                                                              Matt Carter

3^rd place:                                                              Robbie Bell