Adding value for ALL RS sailors
- Sets the rules to give great one-design and handicap racing - enhancing resale values
- Organises websites, race reports, news, social media - keeping you informed
- Organises racing events with fantastic social scene - improving your Class’s popularity and value
- Organises training events - helping you get the most from your boat
- Liaises with the builder, RS Sailing - ensuring the quality and specification are what owners want
- Negotiates excellent discounts from the RS Sailing Store, including sail discounts, and many other companies
- Encourages new people to get involved - giving a better experience for everyone
Who is your Class Association?
- It is run by volunteer sailors with back-up by part time professional administrators
- The sailors make the plans and decisions - without having to do all the leg work
Please show support by joining your Class Association
- The cost is tiny compared to your benefits, working out less than a cup of coffee a month!
- By taking out International Class Association membership for one class, you will have reciprocal membership to the RS100, RS200, RS300, RS400, RS600, RS700, RS800, RS Vareo International and International RS500 Class Associations
- One event membership is available for all events except National and major championships, for use by those borrowing a boat, intending to only sail in one RS Class Association event etc. Click here.
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Carsington Sailing Club RS700 Training
Photo – www.hillsphotography.co.uk
The RS700 is a challenging single-handed asymmetric trapeze boat offering thrills and spills to anyone suitably dedicated and enthusiastic to master the high performance sailing on offer. Carsington Sailing Club saw the first RS700 arrive in late 2006 and since then the fleet has progressively developed.
Due to the notably active RS700 circuit, supported by the RS Association, several Carsington Club members decided to give it a go and entered the 2007 Nationals at Torbay. The expectation was to slot somewhere in the centre of the fleet with a possibility of slightly better placing. By the end of the week it was obvious just how little was understood about the boat, especially with the simple manoeuvres (tacking and gybing) and rig set-up. Almost like buying the latest electronic navigation technology there was a belief that it would only be a matter of time and the right combination of actions that would lead to success, there was never any thought of recourse to an instruction manual.
After the 2008 Nationals at Hayling Island the instruction manual was needed. Whilst discussing frustrations with Jon Heissig (2nd on the 2008 Fat Face circuit), he offered the Carsington 700 fleet some assistance. A weekend training event was arranged for April 2009.
Why is it that organising training is so difficult?
There was an enthusiastic trainer, an eager bunch of sailors, a supporting Sailing Club but, with all the people who need to be contacted and all the advertising and the concern about the spring weather in the UK, it’s hard but still worth the effort. In the event, there were 7 sailors with boats ready to go at 10.00am. The weather was excellent with a steady force 4 occasionally gusting force 5 and the sun was out!
Carsington Sailing Club supplied 700 Acres of water, excellent club facilities, RIB and Training Room. Jon supplied the training. His task was enormous especially as his remit was massive, ranging from a first timer to a few weathered old hands.
The training revolved around discussion on rig tuning and set up, several quick races to improve start line technique and some 1 to 1 coaching on the water. The activities were filmed for 2 video debriefs during the day.
In summary the training insights gave the following:
· If you want a reasonable result you must start as the start flag drops – 15 seconds later isn’t good enough
· It was obvious that even when you think you have enough kicker you should probably squeeze on a little more and with the kicker you need more Cunningham. A fairly flat sail in the winds of the day worked well, helping with control in the gusty conditions.
· The boat must be kept flat at all times, therefore continually work the mainsheet through the gusts and lulls. With a flatter sail it is more controllable, therefore it’s easier to trapeze lower, so the boat will go faster. A bit of a ‘no brainer’!
· Be steady and deliberate when gibing ensuring the boat is flat out. Ease the main slightly in steady wind and more in strong wind, pre-sheet the spinnaker and get onto the far rack quickly as you gybe.
And finally, whatever you do enjoy it!! And remember, training is a must.
