Results / RS700 Fat Face Racing Circuit Chorus SC - 03/04/2004

Classic Welsh weather greeted the 700 fleet for the Fat Face circuit event this weekend at Chorus Lake, yeah it was raining, but windy too. With the wind blowing across the lake the race officer used the maximum space available, but the course was still relatively short for the 700s who really fly in these windy conditions. Andy White started the weekend as he meant to continue, getting off to a flying start in race 1, and disappearing in to the distance. Tony Freer followed, chased by Steve Marshall and Nigel Walbank. Race 2 began in a similar vein with boat handling and fitness being tested on the short courses. Again White disappeared into the distance, but on the penultimate lap capsized downwind twice, to let through Jon Heissig and Tony Freer. White chased hard, but finished second just behind Freer with Hessig slipping to third. The wind dropped dramatically for race 3, providing light shifty conditions. At the windward mark White rounded first with Freer second and Hessig third. These positions remained unchanged at the finish, with Tom Offer sneaking into fourth. Sunday dawned with only one major change, more wind. Tony Freer shot out of the traps of race 4, but down wind took his usual first gybe swim, handing the lead to Dave Griffiths. On the second lap White took the lead with Walbank, David Aston and Freer chasing. These positions remained the same until Freer sailed Aston passed the finish to steal third. Heissig stormed to an early lead in race 5 with Freer in hot pursuit, with White catching up fast in third. Freer and White overhauled Hessig, only to both wipe out and hand the lead back to Hessig, Freer recovered quickest, and retained second. Some how by the next windward mark White had recovered and overtook Freer for second. Pressed hard by White, Hessig fluffed a tack, giving White the lead and letting Freer through for second, Eddie Gatehouse followed in fourth. The wind continued to build during the final race, White lead followed by Freer, with Gatehouse and Walbank battling for third. At the finish White crossed first followed by Freer, Gatehouse and Walbank. White won convincingly, Freer in second and Walbank third.