Results / Noble Marine RS700 RS800 National Championships Hayling Island SC - 12/09/2024

CONGRATULATIONS TO ROB HIGGINS 2024 RS700 NATIONAL CHAMPION!

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Don't forget to use the code RS700NATS for 50% off. Valid until 30th September.

Thank you very much to HISC for hosting a fabulous event.  Thank you to our generous sponsors Noble Marine, RS Sailing, Rooster, and Fernhurst Books.

Click on the report name to be taken directly to it:

Day one

Day two

Day three

Day four

Prizegiving List

RS700 Noble Marine National Championship Day One

Great to see a fleet of 27 boats congregate at Hayling Island Sailing Club for the Noble Marine National Championship.  A mixed forecast for the coming days meant that there was likely to be something for everyone, but with light winds predicted for Friday, the Race Officer and sailors agreed to try for three races on day one.  The D flag was hoisted and the fleet sailed out to course area A, near Hayling beach and ideal for the forecast North Westerlies.

The RO and their team of mark layers, safety boats and other volunteers did a great job of setting the trapezoid course, with inner and outer loops, the RS700s destined to sail on the outer loop with 3 x 2 lap races whilst the RS800s would sail the inner course.  Racing got underway in good time in a shifty 10-12 knots of breeze.  Two distinct groups split the beat with half the fleet tacking early and heading for the beach led by The Punisher (720) and its helm Richard (go right) Wadsworth, and the other half being shown a clear set of heels by Rob Higgins in 1055.  Richard benefitted from a wind bend in shore and arrived at the windward mark first ahead of Robbie Bell, closely followed by Rob.  Rob and Robbie exchanged places on the reach with Richard setting his chute and heading off on starboard, however Rob closely followed by Nathan Steffenoni gybed early benefitting from additional pressure.  All were close at the leeward mark, but Rob pulled out a lead on the second beat and extended to get the first of 3 bullets for that day.  There was plenty of close racing and place changing throughout the remainder of the fleet meaning that everyone had plenty to consider for the following races.  

Race 2 got underway promptly and saw the fleet split once more, however this time going inshore didn’t work, the bend had gone and those that went right, lost out to those that found more pressure and better angles on the left.  Rob Higgins once more popped out in front (I’m told having been too far back to see) closely followed by European champion Matt Carter, they held their positions until the finish followed in by Czech Ace Marek Dudak.

After race 2 a big squall came through accompanied by rain and a right hand shift which saw a course re-set, unfortunately as the boats were in the final few seconds of the sequence the wind continued to shift and the RO postponed the start to reset for a fair start.  Race 3 saw the most challenging race yet: pressure varied throughout the course with big shifts, holes and gusts resulting in snakes and ladders racing for everyone, except Rob Higgins who had his strategy nailed down.  James Bayliss (944) had recently dusted his boat off having not sailed it for five years and put in some good legs, but to be fair there were plenty of newcomers to the class putting in a good shift, not to mention Tom Playford from Snettisham and the significant showing from Dabchicks SC who all showed some real speed throughout the day.  Race race 3 ended with Nathan in 2nd, Matt in 3^rd, legend Pete Purkiss finishing in 4^th, and last year’s champion John Booth in 5th.

All boats returned to the beach and received a cold beer in exchange for their tally - very welcome after a tough day on the water.

Yet again the RS700 fleet showed there’s some great racing to be had for all, in what is an accessible, affordable and great fun skiff, get in touch if you’d like to find out more!

Report by Robbie Bell

Up on Y&Y here

RS700 Noble Marine National Championship Day Two

Following on from Robbie’s smashing report of yesterday racing we all arrived for another day in a questionable forecast.  

After a few extra coffees during an hour’s postponement we were surprisingly released.  This was a sound call from the RO and team because when we arrived on the course we had a great 8-10 knots and a relatively steady breeze. 

Race one got off promptly with most of the fleet pushing the line and a clear start with the fleet splitting from the start.  Matt Carter took an early lead with Ian Swann rounding the top mark second.  Ian decided to treat the fleet to some breakdancing and went for a cool down.  Close racing throughout the fleet saw positions constantly changing.  Matt Carter held on to his lead with a recovering Rob Higgins pulling through to second.  Our current champion John Booth showed his downwind speed taking a few places on the last run to take third. 

The fleet was quick to finish and the second race of the day followed promptly, starting in a slightly less breeze.  Again it was a clean start and we had a real split in the fleet with both sides paying a little more than we had seen before.  The wind was a little shiftier over the race course and Rob took the lead at the top mark followed by James Clark, Matt Carter and Jack Grogan.  Once again the fleet saw some really close racing.  By the bottom mark the race team had moved the windward mark left a little and the leaders were split at the bottom mark heading to opposite corners of the track.  James and Jack took advantage of the shifts on the right and gained on the leaders.  Lots of changes were made across the fleet with positions gained seeing James Clark take a close win from Rob and Jack taking 3^rd.  Matt took 4th with Tom, John and James Bayliss finishing closely.  It was great to see the whole fleet pushing each other and good results across the board.  

The RO made a great call and sent all in to the bar for stories of a sunny day and hope that the wind continues into the weekend.  It’s all play for and a long way to go.  

Now back for the beers.  

Report by James Clark

Up on Y&Y here

RS700 Noble Marine National Championship Day Three

The fleet arrived at the club to be greeted by mirror flat water and wall to wall sunshine.  It was safe to say the Dabchicks contingent, after indulging heavily at the bar in the after sailing social the day before, were banking on there being a postponement.  However, the race officer had different ideas and instructed us to launch and drift out the race area, not ideal words to hear for the many with sore heads!

Once at the race area we were welcomed with a 7-10 knot Southerly.  Jack Grogan and James Clark headed right.  James held his nerve and pushed further right than anyone else and got rewarded at the top mark leading the fleet round.  He was closely followed by John Booth and Mike Banks showing that the Dabchicks Sailing Commodore works well with an expresso martini and negroni induced hangover.  As the wind clocked further right the course became one sided keeping those three in the podium positions.  However, John managed to sneak past James at the final mark leaving John 1st, James 2nd and Mike 3rd.

Race Two:  The breeze built.  Robbie Bell and Matt Carter arrived at the top mark joined together, but it was Rob Higgins who decided to jump first on the breezy but overly tight reach and hoist and smoked through the big bunch of boats.  From there the hammer was down and he chased down Robbie and Matt just getting the win, then it was Matt, then Robbie.  Tom Playford showed his nose at the front grabbing and 5th and James Bayliss back from International 14 duty had a steady result in 4th.

Race Three: It was now champagne sailing with the breeze at 15knots.  The pin end was the place to be. Sam Caslin won it and showed great speed.  Pistol Pete Purkiss lived up to his name with a UFD, the only sailor so far to get the wrong side of the line this week.  John Booth treated the committee boat to a view of his underside after catching the committee boat with his tiller extension resulting in a rapid bear away on the gun and big crash.  Just shows that the current national champ can get it wrong too.

The race unfolded with the left paying.  Rob lead with Nathan on his heels until he capsized at the final mark relinquishing his 3rd place to James Clark, with Robbie grabbing 2nd.  However, with the breeze up there was close racing in the fleet.  Rich Wadsworth had a ding dong with Matt Carter for a most of the race.  Tom Dutton, a stronger wind specialist, unfortunately broke his goose neck so it was a shame he had an early bath as it would have been good to where he fitted in with the stronger breeze.

Special mention must go to Rob who has now won the 2024 RS700 Noble Marine national championship with a day to spare.  He has shown great boat speed combined with great tactics.  So it is very well deserved.

Day four looms, again with a light forecast, but this time just two races scheduled.

Report by Jack Grogan

Up on Y&Y here 

RS700 Noble Marine National Championship Day Four

The fourth and final day of the 2024 RS700 Nationals had a similar feel.  Too many dark and stormies from the previous night were being regretted, breakfasts were being demolished and mirror-like conditions again met the fleet.  Just like the last two days though wind was forecast, the fleet just had to wait for it. 

After a postponement the fleet drifted out on the tide into the stunning Hayling Bay to wait for the breeze. At first it didn't look promising but all of a sudden the fans got switched on, the race team sprang into action and we were into race nine. 

Although the top step of the podium had been confirmed the next two steps were far from done.  Current European champion Matt Carter, James Clark, Robbie Bell and Jack Grogan all sat tightly bunched on points. 

10 knots and some funky Hayling chop led to some challenging conditions.  Rob Higgins got the cleanest lane out to the left-hand side and tacked to clear the fleet.  Behind James Clark continued his late charge to round comfortably in second.  Matt Carter knew he just had to keep the gap to James to a minimum and rounded next in a tight pack.  Rob extended away to take the win with James coming home in second.  Colin Dacey had a great second beat to overtake Matt into third but couldn't quite hold onto it on the run home. 

Race ten: With the cut-off time for racing fast approaching the ever efficient race team set a course, raised the black flag and got the fleet into the final race.  James Clark hit the line hard and led the charge over to the left-hand side.  His eyes must have lit up when he looked back to see Matt Carter getting second row off the line.  He rounded the top mark just in front of fellow Chew sailor Rob.  James Bayliss (despite his lack of time in the boat) was again showing his speed to lead a tightly bunched chasing pack.  A dodgy hoist from James Clark allowed Rob through.  A split at the bottom gate saw James Clark sail in his own personal wind bend to take the lead.  Matt Carter quickly made his way through the fleet.  James took the win and could only hope for others help to leapfrog Matt.  Rob came in second with Matt showing why he is European champion recovering to take third and keep hold of second place overall. 

At the prize giving Race Officer Mark Darling drew the raffle for the Ellen Macarthur Cancer Trust.  The prize was an RS700 spinnaker generously donated by RS Sailing.  The lucky winner was Mike Banks.

A very big thank you to Hayling Island Sailing Club for providing an excellent full series of ten races and for looking after us so well on the shore.  Thank you to our title sponsor Noble Marine, Fernhurst Books our Endeavour prize sponsor, and Rooster our prize giving sponsor.

Report by Rob Higgins

Up on Y&Y here

Prize Giving List

Ellen McArthur Cancer Trust RS700 Spinnaker Raffle

Spinnaker kindly donated by RS Sailing.  Winner: Mike Banks

RS700

1^st Youth: nobody eligible so not awarded

Endeavour Trophy: Fernhurst Books voucher: Chew Valley Lake SC Elliot Booley

1^st Weekend: HISC Malcolm Streeton

Fidelis Trophy: Weston SC Nathan Steffenoni

1^st Bronze: Lyme Regis SC Simon Clark

1^st Silver: Dabchicks SC Sam Caslin

1^st Apprentice: Snettisham Beach SC Tom Playford

1^st Master: Lancing SC Matt Carter

6^th place: Snettisham Beach SC Tom Playford

5^th place: West Mersea YC and Dabchicks SC Jack Grogan

4^th place: Snettisham Beach SC Robbie Bell

3^rd place: Chew Valley Lake SC James Clark

2^nd place: Lancing SC Matt Carter

1^st place and RS700 National Champion for 2024: Chew Valley Lake SC Rob Higgins