RS700 Chairman’s Update – February 2016
Welcome to 2016! Whilst the stormy weather of 2015 may have spilled over into 2016, on the positive side it is unseasonably warm and if you dare get your boat wet you may be in with a chance of setting this year’s speed record!
I’d like to thank everyone for their active engagement over the last few months, with the 2015 RS700 Sailor Survey, 2016 Calendar Survey and Weight Equalisation Vote all achieving excellent levels of feedback and helping the committee make informed decisions on behalf of the class. In addition the RS700 Sailors Facebook page which launched in Sep 2015 has over 130 members and it continues to grow. I’d encourage everyone to get involved and start posting funny, interesting, useful videos/photos or threads that the RS700 community might appreciate.
As you are probably all aware, the proposed change to the Weight Compensation System vote gave a decisive ‘no change’ result. Whilst I supported the case for ‘no change’ on this occasion, I believe that the weight compensation system could be made more accommodating to a wider range of sailor weights in future; it was just that this particular proposal was unpalatable to the majority of sailors. We will therefore sail the 2016 season under the existing class rules, but I’m open to suggestions for future consideration.
The 2016 Racing Calendar was launched last year, but for those of you who may not have noticed we’ve recently made some subtle amendments. While the venues and dates remain the same, we have now re-introduced the Magic Marine RS700 Grand Prix circuit with 3 of the 5 events to count. With the National and European Championships also counting towards the circuit, sailors don’t have to commit to many events to qualify. There is a lovely shiny trophy up for grabs. Hopefully this will provide some extra motivation to attend more events, and having a credible annual circuit in place will help us build and develop the class. With this in mind, I’d really like sailors to make a special effort to try to support the first event at Rutland SC on 2-3 April 16. Not only will this kick start our season, but it is our only event away from the South Coast (London doesn’t count – I’m a Yorkshireman!). I’m also conscious that there isn’t a home RS700 fleet there - so we will need some travelling support.
Looking further ahead, please start dropping the ‘Garda Bomb’ on your long suffering wives and girlfriends. The European Championships will take place in Garda 25-29 July 16 and will no doubt take some level of domestic salesmanship and organisation to make it work. It will be a great event so start to plan it now. I’d suggest you also start to discuss it amongst your fellow RS700 club mates so you can make some coordinated travel plans to share accommodation, cars trailers etc.
As I alluded to earlier, we’re going to be awarding a prize at the National Championship for the highest recorded speed over the year - so strap on your GPS and give it a go!!! In order to submit a top speed just log in to the RS700 Class Association Website and you’ll find the Speed Record page under the Results tab (be aware that you need to be logged in to see the ‘submit a record’ button). We’re also looking to award a prize for the best RS700 photo or video posted on the Class Associated Forum or Facebook Page. There is set no criteria, so anything will be considered; funny, spectacular, interesting or educational - so started capturing and sharing the magic! The Class Association is also looking to re-publish a newsletter, so I’d appreciate it if sailors could contribute some articles that we could feature in it. Anything from boat bimbling, technique, club guides and updates, or anything of general interest would be appreciated; please send anything you may have to Clare or me.
I’m really keen to get some training arranged as there was a strong call for it in the Sailor Survey feedback and we need to provide it if we are to attract and keep sailors in this challenging class. Clare and I are looking into getting a Mark Rushall training video made, but I’d really like to get some ‘on the water’ training events put into the calendar. However, I do need some need some help to make this happen. My preference is for someone to volunteer as ‘Training Coordinator’ and take the lead on all training matters, but failing that, any offer to run any ‘one off’ training sessions that we could open up to any RS700 sailors would be appreciated. I’ve got a RYA Level 2 Powerboat, RYA First Aid qualification and a ‘willingness to travel’ if that helps. Please contact me if you think you can help run any formal or informal training sessions at your club or elsewhere.
Finally, I would like to thank you all for your continued support and if anyone has anything they would like the committee to investigate (or you would like to assist with) - please don’t hesitate to get in touch. I look forward to seeing you at the Dinghy Show and then on the water!
Yours aye,
Richard Wadsworth
UK RS700 Class Association Chairman
