Report on Inaugural RS Pursuit Race at Queen Mary, 10 Nov 2001

The RS Class Association launched it's new season finale at Queen Mary on Nov 10th.The RS Pursuit race proved to be a great success and the format caught the imagination. With many talented sailors across the whole range of RS classes there was much discussion leading into the event as to which class would come out on top. A list of betting odds for individual sailors even appeared on the Associations e-mailing list. As should have been expected, the weather had a major say in the outcome, with very light and very fickle wind across the lake throughout the race. The 200s started in very light airs with Jon Lewis in early control. An outrageous windshift brought Pete Vincent to the front who promptly sailed down the first run in breeze into a huge lead with the whole fleet behind becalmed. This major advantage disappeared on the next beat as Sue Antonelli, Steve Restall and Ian Pickard sailed straight to the mark in new wind. It soon became apparent that all this place changing was to going to be of no avail as the 400s had sailed the first beat in the best conditions and were on a real charge. Nick Craig, with new crew Dan Sanders, was really motoring and all money was now on him. Sailing into a no go area around a dredger cost him dear as he had to unwind himself. Sue Antonelli was using all her Littleton light air skills to make mincemeat of the well-known 200 sailors to hold a good lead over other 200s, but the front 400s were through by half way. Craig Burlton/Mark Needler were the first 400 to hit the front. With the wind swinging to give long runs, the 400s were making hay and Burlton moved into a big lead. It was now obvious that unless the wind increased rapidly the trapeze boats were going to make no impression and the race became a real question of weather the 400 group of the Chipperfields, Smiths and Craig/Saunders could catch Burlton/Needler. Burlton was having none of this and come the finish time had a comfortable lead over Craig, who had charged through. Burlton was both a popular and deserved winner of the first RS Pursuit race; he had to be the most consistent performer in all RS classes throughout 2001 regardless of conditions and wind strengths. Eight of the top ten places were taken by 400s, with Sue Antonelli/Jo Lloyd taking fifth and first 200 in only their second 200 event. Also
doing very well in the 200's were rum and coke queens Sarah Taylor/
Claire Upton Brown who were third 200 for two hours, their best
performance of the year probably because they did not chunder. Ian
Gotts/Malcolm Morley were first K6 in 10th; the K6 proved to be very effective at ghosting past groups of boats. Will Gulliver and Matt Sargent in their 300s had threatened early on but seemed to suffer when the 400s created bad air on the runs. Gulliver's 12th place, however, was a good result from the helm who has swept all before him in the 300's this year. Ian Jubb and Lesley Bennett were miles clear of the other 800s and showed considerable skill in conditions that did not suit the boat to finish 15th; Lesley's constant attention to trimming the kite was particularly note-worthy. The majority of the 600s had a tight race between themselves, but could not make an impression except for Anthony "Chunky" York, who broke away early and pulled up to 20th. It was horrible conditions for the 700s, with the Racing Circuit winner, Carl Vinning, leading the class in 38th. The combination of the Pursuit Race, the following AGM, fireworks, and very lively party in the evening, will give the RS classes plenty to talk about over the Winter before we all get back together with the start of the RS Racing Circuit at the Winter Championships on 16/17 Feb 2002. Overall Results 1. Craig Burlton/Mark Needler RS400 Bartlley SC 2. Nick Craig/Dan Sanders RS400 Frensham Pond SC 3. Colin Smith/Sarah Smith RS400 Chichester SC 4. Giles/Heather Chipperfield RS400 Lymington Town SC 5. Sue Antonelli/Jo Lloyd RS200 Littleton SC 6. Geoff Carveth/Elly Haines RS400 Littleton SC 7. Hywel Roberts/Danny Brooks RS400 Queen Mary SC 8. Gavin Marshall/John Rider RS400 RNSA 9. Mike Redpath/Rebecca Marriott RS400 Frensham Pond SC 10.Ian Gotts/Malcolm Morley K6 HISC Leading Class positions RS200 1. Sue Antonell/Jo Lloyd Littleton SC (5) 2. Steve Restall/Helen Stubbs Downs SC (11) 3. Ian Pickard/Sammy Byron Bristol CYC(14) RS300 1. Will Gulliver Oxford SC (12) 2. Matt Sargent RASC (28) 3. Steve Middleton Burghfield (31) RS400 1. Craig Burlton/Mark Needler Northampton (1) 2. Nick Craig/Dan Sanders Frensham Pond(2) 3. Colin Smith/ Sarah Smith Chichester (3) RS600 1. Anthony York Northampton (20) 2. Andy Irons Bewl Valley (55) 3. Mark Perrin Queen Mary (56) RS700 1 Carl Vining (38) 2 Nick Peters (40) 3.Tim Johnson (42) RS800 1. Ian Jubb/Lesley Bennett HISC (15) 2. Phil Elford/Neil Arnott Eastbourne (30) 3. Babs Day/Graham Simmonds HISC (47) RS K6 1. Ian Gotts/Malcolm Morley (10) 2. Martin Wadhams/Amanda/Claire (18) 3. Mike Fawcett/Paul Handley (33)