Results / Gul RS Inland Championships Rutland S.C. - 18/10/2003

Bright & breezy conditions greeted competitors at Rutland Water for this years Inlands. Three races were scheduled for each day. Race 1 saw the fleet away with the wind blowing F4-5 which remaining the same all weekend. Andy White dominated leading from the start but the pack behind were racing at close quarters. The windward legs required concentration, a missed shift was costly and with corner banging not paying the fleet cross tacked its way to the windward mark. Downwind was similar, miss a gust downwind and you could loose several places, however gybing too often increased the risk factor of a costly swim. Race 2 again saw White out in front at the windward mark but instead of stretching his lead he fell back into the pack and by the next windward leg was back amongst a chasing group of 4 or 5 other boats. This race could have gone to anyone but by the finish it was Peake who had nosed in front with White 2nd. The line for the 3rd race was well port biased so the pin end was rather busy. Some rather dubious rule observance saw some turns and some port tacking starters had to pick their moment carefully to fit through the gaps. The first mark saw White, Irons & Peake all round closely together. These 3 opened out a bit of breathing space and after Peake misjudged his lay-lines on the 2nd lap it was left to White & Irons for the bullet. Irons seemed to have the better downwind speed and overtook White with only a few yards remaining. White panicked his late kite drop and uncharacteristically capsized falling to 5th, Peake took the vacant 2nd place with thanks. Sunday saw a similar breeze but less sun. The 4th race again saw White & Irons fighting it out with the chasing mob including Belben, Koukouakis, Barton, Walbank & Albreicht. White this time held his lead to record his 2nd victory of the weekend. Race 5 was almost a carbon copy of the last with the same winner & runner- up. Peake who was leader overnight again couldn't find the front and had to fight his way through the best he could. So, going into the last race White was almost certain of the title but Peake & Irons were racing for 2nd place. It looked to be going Irons's way until White wipped out immediately in front of Irons at the leeward mark leaving him no choice but to swim as well. How there were no injuries or boat damage we'll never know. This left Peake clear with Belben & Albreicht chasing. The now righted duo only had 1 lap to try and make places back but it wasn't enough for Irons to get 2nd overall losing to Peake by a single point. The weekend's racing was very close and tactical with several new faces showing they've mastered the boat. Although the numbers were down for this event the fleet now has very good depth and is looking forward to a bumper season next year.