Results / Draycote Dash Draycote Water SC - 25/02/2012

Over the May bank holiday 13 RS700s gathered at the Port Zelande centreparc resort in Holland for the first Fatface Eurocup of the year, with the races being run very professionally by the Aquavitesse sailing club. Wind is one of the things Holland is famous for, along with a lack of startline transits, but there were few flat out wiring opportunities over the event and when present it displayed a wide range of holes and shifts before steadying out for the last day. Even so, there were few complaints as it is a very nice place to sail, even on the day it rained. As confidently predicted after a few beers on the first night, Leigh Albrecht won the event making few mistakes and producing some bursts of speed that no-one around could match to win four of the ten races. Two points behind was Jon Heissig, who also won four races but insisted on falling out of the boat (despite having wider wings) and being incapable of counting more than three laps. Day one leader Alex Koukourakis ended up in third, also having some untimely but entertaining swims, and developed a close attachment with the pin end of the line in the last two races. Regularly appearing at the front of the fleet to give some very tight racing was Christiaan Brandt (fourth), Mathijs ten Berg (fifth), Gabriel Wicke, Alex Southon (yes in light winds!) and Pete Jarry. The bars at the centre proved more than adequate to the sailors needs, and two hours of free beer in the barbecue turned Sunday evening into an early night for some but not all as must have been pretty obvious the next morning. Many thanks to Aquavitesse for organising the racing, accommodation, friendly socials, and sponsor Fat Face. Jon Heissig