Results / RS Fat Face Racing Circuit Hayling Island SC - 12/07/2003

Biggest ever RS200 Open Meeting 68 RS200's in the sunshine of Hayling Island for the Fat Face Racing Circuit on July 12/13 was a new record for any RS200 Racing Circuit event. With first class race management from PRO Nick Rawling and his team, non stop sunshine, reasonable winds, HISC's fantastic new club house, huge fleet and all the leading contenders what more could a self respecting 200 sailor want? Well getting a pint of beer from the clubs bar would have been a good idea as a rather under staffed bar fell well short of the standard of the restaurant. Saturday and clear blue skies produced a 8-10 knot sea breeze. Race 1 saw Jon Lewis/Millie Parsons start right at the leeward end and the only boat to hit the left hand corner with handsome result with a good lead. Lee Sydenham/Anne Vaudrey and Geoff Carveth/Sarah Allen slowly eroded his lead, with only 2 laps set the second run was a close affair and it was Sydenham that gained the overlap at the final leeward mark. Sydenham then conclusively proved he could not count by starting a third beat as a relieved Lewis giggled his way to the finish line. Sydenham has his counting beads out for race 2 and did not make the same mistake to win from Carveth with Hamish Calder/Severine Jones third. Race 3 saw the first recall and the first batch of OCS's. Martin Jones/Clare Rowbottom made a magnificent start when it counted to finish second behind Steve and Paula Irish with David Giles/Fiona Clark third. Sunday had glorious sunshine and most of the fleet could appreciate it as they did not have hangovers thanks to HISC bar. Sharing a course with 600's did not prevent the PRO turning round races quicker than it took to buy a round. Out in the race area there was a good gradient breeze from the south east slightly stronger than Saturday. Carveth and Allen took complete control of proceedings with good starts at the leeward end they led race 4 and 5 from start to finish to virtually seal overall victory. Giles and Clark also did themselves a power of good with 2.4 results as other leading contenders struggled for consistency. Andy and Katie Shorrocks, making a guest appearance from Laser 4000's, were very solid in 4.5. For the final race the breeze built to a force 4 and with the tide slackening there was a massive bulge on the start line and six of the final top 12 overall were black flagged. With Carveth keeping a close eye on the Irish's, Giles won the race to round off an impressive Sunday. Behind Ian Pickard/Lucy Matthews had discovered their toe straps and were second but lost out to fellow Bristol CYC members Trudie Danbury/Bert on the final beat much to everyone�s amusement. Worryingly for all 200 sailors Geoff Carveth has competed in 3 large RS200 events. The 1997 Inlands, the 2001 Nationals and now the largest ever RS200 Racing Circuit event and has won all three. He must start favourite for the RS200 Nationals at Restronguet, entries for which will now break the 100 boat limit. There are though plenty of well known dinghy helms in good form in the 200's and there is going to be red hot competition.