Champagne Conditions for Final Day

The Noble Marine Rooster RS200 National Championships finished with three races in champagne sailing conditions. The fleet launched in 12 knots but it was gusting 20. For the first time this week there were land influences to contend with, not just tide. Race Officer Robbie Lawson postponed due to a last minute left shift. But shortly after the fleet were off.

The battle between the yellow bibs & blue bibs was fierce but Arran & James stretched their legs & also their lead overall with another race win but the points between them meant the championship was still too close to call. Ben & Lorna made use of their discard after missing the gate.

In Race 9 & the first start was aborted due to a 30 degree left shift, then the wind got really ‘fruity’, lots of capsizes as the fleet got tired, & a gust of 28 knots caught a few of the front guys out too.  The front runners were starting to match race each other allowing Tom Goodey & Richard Thomas to continue their cracking day, with a 4^th in race 8, & now leading in race 9 from start to finish. Arran & James were 2^nd which was enough to secure the title. Owen Bowerman & Annabelle Orme were flying today too, & took 3^rd. Ben & Lorna climbed from mid fleet to 5^th so the race was on for the other podium places.

The final race of the championship was a master class from Owen & Annabelle giving them the race win from Ewan Wilson & Morven Wood.

The championship prizegiving was held on the green at ELYC overlooking Bass Rock. The class chairman Will Taylor thanked the club for hosting a superb event both on & off the water. Congratulations to the worthy winners Arran Holman & James Crossley.

A raffle had been running all week to raise money for the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust. The winner was Brendan & Ellen from ELYC so popular sailors to win the RS200 spinnaker.

Other winners :

Jon Lewis Trophy – Alex Colquit & Zoe Nieveen

Fernhurst Books Endeavour Prize – Will Hopes & Emma Bennett

Buddy Team – Tom Goodey & Richard Thomas / Ewan Wilson & Morven Wood/ Oliver Jagger & Freddie Scott

Top University – Strathclyde

Top Club – Hayling Island Sailing Club

1^st All Lady Team – Jocelyn & Emily Hill

1^st Lady Helm – Anna Sturrock

1^st Junior Helm – Roo Pervis

1^st Youth Helm & Youth Boat – Jamie Harris & Ellen Main

1^st Junior Boat – Callum Mason & Ben Hay

1^st Family – M.J. & Rory Gifford

1^st We are Family – James & Jess Hammett

1^st Loving Cup – Brendan Lynch & Ellen Clark

1^st Bronze – Adam & Martin Catlow

1^st Silver – Mark Oakey & Jess Smith

1^st Grand Master – Steve Cockerill

1^st Master – Robbie Burns