Results / National Championships South Caernarvonshire YC, Abersoch - 29/08/2005
Gul RS700 Nationals � Final Day
Going into the last day, the Championship was still wide open with Neil
Robinson leading but with only a 2 point gap on Peter Greenhalgh. Jason
Belben was ready to capitalise on any slips only 4 points further back.
Game on!
The day started with a light breeze, but instead of dying as earlier in
the week, it held and the fleet were treated to 3 races in a very shifty
force 2. Abersoch had provided a real challenge for the sailors and this
rounded off the week perfectly. Two light wind races had put a premium
on spotting the pressure and light wind boat speed, the 3 races in strong
winds placed boat handling at a premium, and finally 3 races in medium
breezes gave the opportunity for the tactical minds to shine. The winner
was going to best all-rounder and a worthy champion.
Race 6 - Battle was joined! The 3 protagonists were glued together and
after the first round had pulled clear of the rest of the fleet and were
fighting their own battle. In the end the race came down to the last
run, and it was Peter Greenhalgh who took the win with Jason Belben 2nd
and Neil Robinson a very close 3rd.
Race 7 � It was Andy Irons who lead the charge up the left hand side with
Peter Greenhalgh in close attendance followed by Jon Heissig and Ian
Nolan who had clearly benefited from the Mark Littlejohn seminar on the
weather the previous evening. The order stayed the same down the first
run but opinions were split on the next beat with Irons and Nolan going
right and Peter Greenhalgh splitting off and taking the left hand side.
This proved to be a winning strategy as he led at the top mark and
through to the finish. Matthew Humphreys found some pressure on the last
run and managed to come through the fleet and get in touch with Irons.
Humphreys won the last gybe, and snuck through into 2nd.
Race 8 - Going into the last race, the championship was still
mathematically open but the advantage was now with Peter Greenhalgh who
simply needed to keep in touch with Neil Robinson to take the win. And
this is exactly what happened with the two boats effectively joined by
elastic. In fact Neil�s efforts to break free resulted in the two boats
cruising around mid fleet for much of the race.
While the two contenders were amusing themselves, the rest of the fleet
were having a cracking race. Jon Heissig led at the top mark from
Stephen Butcher and Ian Nolan. Matthew Humphreys� coaching had obviously
helped his buddy significantly as Stephen pulled through to take the race
win. Behind him Peter Greenhalgh had broken away from Neil Robinson and
managed to pull himself back through the fleet. However it was Matt
Humphreys who stole second place at the last moment followed by Peter
Greenhalgh and Jon Heissig.
This rounded up an excellent championship week for the fleet. Many
thanks go to everyone at South CaernarvonshireYacht Club for making us
very welcome, and a special vote of thanks to the race team who managed
to put on an excellent series of races despite the best efforts of a very
unhelpful breeze.
A number of regulars were missing from the championship for various
reasons such as the proximity to the Eurocup or work commitments.
However the only really valid excuse was that of class chair Alex Newton-
Southen who became a father during the final days racing. Best wishes
from all of the 700 fleet go to mum Sian and daughter Olivia Eve (6lb
9oz). Nice one chap!
Overall Results:
1 Peter Greenhalgh (Holt) 11 pts
2 Neil Robinson 16 pts
3 Matthew Humphreys (Harken) 21 pts
4 Jason Belben (Ronstan) 22 pts
5 Leigh Albrecht 33 pts
6 Andy Irons 36pts
7 Jon Heissig 36 pts
8 Stephen Butcher 37 pts
1st Lady: Nicky Griffin
1st Master: Neil Robinson
Silver Division
1st Stephen Butcher
2nd Dave Smithwhite
3rd Ian Swann
Best Buddies: Matthew Humphreys and Stephen Butcher
For full race results please go to: www.rs-association.com
Day 3 Day 3 started with a weather forecast warning of conditions conducive to the spread of potato blight� hence sun and no wind. In reality the wind did arrive along with very large waves causing problems for many of the fleet. Race 3 was won by Neil Robinson who showed good pace in the breeze, Alex Koukourakis followed in second with Leigh Albrecht third. Race 4 saw the worst of the conditions with huge waves even washing the deck of the committee boat. Some put the kites up for the down wind leg but most were not that brave/stupid! Neil again showed good speed to win followed by Peter Greenhalgh in second with Andy Irons third. Race 5 The last race of the day was sailed on a course moved closer to the shore to escape the wind against tide further out. The wind shifted throughout the race but Peter Greenhalgh won from Neil Robinson in second and Jon Heissig in third. All returned ashore knackered but glad that the breeze had finally arrived.
Day 2 Day 2 of the RS700 started launching into a gentle southerly breeze, allowing evrtone to wash the sand out of the boats on the way to the start. The wind starting fading near start time, but all crossed the line correctly and split into two groups, one heading inshore and the other into the bay. At the first mark Steve Butcher led, having gone middle left, closely followed by Jason Belben and Matt Humphreys. Steve gybed, the others carried on and Belben and Humphreys sailed off again to first and second. As the wind died to nothing on the second lap, Ian Swann found a zepher pulling him into third, Pete Greenhalgh fourth with Dave Smithwhite and Buthcher following on. The breeze didn�t return, and after a small period of acrobatics off boats racing was postponed to another day. Belben leads from Humphreys overall, with racing starting even earlier tomorrow to catch the wind before the sun drives it away.
RS700 National Championships day 1 The RS fleet descended on North Wales over the weekend for their National Championships at South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club, Abersoch. The weather over the weekend had raised expectations for a windy event with gusts of up to 49 knots having been recorded. Interest in the event was also heightened by the return of some absent faces including Jason Belben. Would they be able to challenge Peter Greenhalgh after his recent win at the La Rochelle Eurocup? Monday morning dawned with horizontal rain and low cloud which fortunately cleared throughout the day to reveal light winds and bright sunshine. Race 1 started after a general recall and it was Jason Belben who stole the lead from the pin end. A group consisting of Jason, Leigh Albrecht, Stuart Riches and Peter Greenhalgh who rounded the first mark together but it was Jason Belben who pushed through to take the lead at the lee mark in a lightening breeze. The fleet split up the next beat with some boats going left, another group including Leigh Albrecht and Peter Greenhalgh going right, but it was Neil Robinson sailing up the middle who made the biggest gains. At the windward mark the order was Jason Belben, Matt Humphries, Neil Robinson, Peter Greenhalgh, Griff Tanner and Andy Holland and this order changed little down the run apart from Leigh Albrecht taking back a couple of the places which he had lost on the beat. A second race was started in very light winds with the main contenders clustered at the pin end again. However the race was cancelled after a few minutes much to the consternation of those doing well. Racing continues all week with a programme of 10 races scheduled for the championship.
Day 3 Day 3 started with a weather forecast warning of conditions conducive to the spread of potato blight� hence sun and no wind. In reality the wind did arrive along with very large waves causing problems for many of the fleet. Race 3 was won by Neil Robinson who showed good pace in the breeze, Alex Koukourakis followed in second with Leigh Albrecht third. Race 4 saw the worst of the conditions with huge waves even washing the deck of the committee boat. Some put the kites up for the down wind leg but most were not that brave/stupid! Neil again showed good speed to win followed by Peter Greenhalgh in second with Andy Irons third. Race 5 The last race of the day was sailed on a course moved closer to the shore to escape the wind against tide further out. The wind shifted throughout the race but Peter Greenhalgh won from Neil Robinson in second and Jon Heissig in third. All returned ashore knackered but glad that the breeze had finally arrived.
Day 2 Day 2 of the RS700 started launching into a gentle southerly breeze, allowing evrtone to wash the sand out of the boats on the way to the start. The wind starting fading near start time, but all crossed the line correctly and split into two groups, one heading inshore and the other into the bay. At the first mark Steve Butcher led, having gone middle left, closely followed by Jason Belben and Matt Humphreys. Steve gybed, the others carried on and Belben and Humphreys sailed off again to first and second. As the wind died to nothing on the second lap, Ian Swann found a zepher pulling him into third, Pete Greenhalgh fourth with Dave Smithwhite and Buthcher following on. The breeze didn�t return, and after a small period of acrobatics off boats racing was postponed to another day. Belben leads from Humphreys overall, with racing starting even earlier tomorrow to catch the wind before the sun drives it away.
RS700 National Championships day 1 The RS fleet descended on North Wales over the weekend for their National Championships at South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club, Abersoch. The weather over the weekend had raised expectations for a windy event with gusts of up to 49 knots having been recorded. Interest in the event was also heightened by the return of some absent faces including Jason Belben. Would they be able to challenge Peter Greenhalgh after his recent win at the La Rochelle Eurocup? Monday morning dawned with horizontal rain and low cloud which fortunately cleared throughout the day to reveal light winds and bright sunshine. Race 1 started after a general recall and it was Jason Belben who stole the lead from the pin end. A group consisting of Jason, Leigh Albrecht, Stuart Riches and Peter Greenhalgh who rounded the first mark together but it was Jason Belben who pushed through to take the lead at the lee mark in a lightening breeze. The fleet split up the next beat with some boats going left, another group including Leigh Albrecht and Peter Greenhalgh going right, but it was Neil Robinson sailing up the middle who made the biggest gains. At the windward mark the order was Jason Belben, Matt Humphries, Neil Robinson, Peter Greenhalgh, Griff Tanner and Andy Holland and this order changed little down the run apart from Leigh Albrecht taking back a couple of the places which he had lost on the beat. A second race was started in very light winds with the main contenders clustered at the pin end again. However the race was cancelled after a few minutes much to the consternation of those doing well. Racing continues all week with a programme of 10 races scheduled for the championship.
|
Series Place | Sail No | Fleet | GM | Owner | Club | Tally | Series Points | Race 1 | Race 2 | Race 3 | Race 4 | Race 5 | Race 6 | Race 7 | Race 8 |
1 | 849 | Gold | Peter Greenhalgh | 127 | 11 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | ||
2 | 744 | Gold | Y | Neil Robinson | Hayling Island SC | 128 | 16 | 4 | 17 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 11 |
3 | 933 | Gold | Matthew Humphreys | Weston SC | 118 | 21 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 16 | 11 | 7 | 2 | 2 | |
4 | 881 | Gold | Jason Belben | Stokes Bay SC | 112 | 22 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 2 | 8 | 5 | |
5 | 939 | Gold | Leigh Albrecht | Queen Mary SC | 117 | 33 | 5 | 9 | 3 | 4 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 16 | |
6 | 823 | Gold | Andy Irons | 114 | 36 | 10 | 8 | 15 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 3 | 8 | ||
7 | 882 | Gold | Johnathan Heissig | Lymington Town SC | 121 | 36 | 7 | 12 | 29 | 29 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 4 | |
8 | 891 | Silver | Y | Stephen Butcher | Hayling Island SC | 107 | 37 | 29 | 6 | 5 | 15 | 29 | 4 | 6 | 1 |
9 | 922 | Silver | Y | Dave Smithwhite | Hayling Island SC | 110 | 44 | 21 | 5 | 11 | 6 | 4 | 9 | 9 | 13 |
10 | 890 | Silver | Ian Swann | Hayling Island SC | 102 | 53 | 20 | 3 | 18 | 7 | 9 | 14 | 10 | 10 | |
11 | 766 | Gold | Alex Koukourakis | Eastbourne Sovereign SC | 105 | 57 | 14 | 14 | 2 | 9 | 5 | 29 | 13 | 18 | |
12 | 941 | Gold | Rob Chaplin | Queen Mary SC | 124 | 59 | 12 | 18 | 7 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 16 | 7 | |
13 | 760 | Silver | Y | Steve Marshall | Corus SC | 111 | 62 | 16 | 7 | 10 | 29 | 7 | 12 | 14 | 12 |
14 | 861 | Silver | Eddie Gatehouse | Chichester YC | 101 | 74 | 17 | 11 | 14 | 10 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 23 | |
15 | 806 | Gold | Nicky Griffin | Hayling Island SC | 113 | 80 | 11 | 22 | 13 | 12 | 16 | 11 | 17 | 20 | |
16 | 912 | Silver | Ian Nolan | Hunstanton SC | 106 | 84 | 29 | 16 | 20 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 12 | 9 | |
17 | 906 | Gold | Andy Holland | Hunstanton SC | 108 | 88 | 8 | 19 | 8 | 13 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 22 | |
18 | 769 | Silver | Mark Pollington | Burghfield SC | 103 | 93 | 15 | 21 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 19 | |
19 | 840 | Gold | Daniel Azzopardi | Queen Mary SC | 104 | 95 | 9 | 10 | 21 | 29 | 29 | 19 | 22 | 14 | |
20 | 832 | Gold | Y | David Geal | Eastbourne Sovereign SC | 119 | 104 | 13 | 29 | 12 | 8 | 13 | 29 | 29 | 29 |
21 | 767 | Silver | Stuart Riches | Hunstanton SC | 109 | 107 | 19 | 20 | 16 | 29 | 29 | 17 | 20 | 15 | |
22 | 776 | Gold | Griff Tanner | Queen Mary SC | 120 | 117 | 6 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 18 | 6 | |
23 | 733 | Silver | Y | Peter Halliwell | Queen Mary SC | 116 | 117 | 25 | 13 | 22 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 25 | 24 |
24 | 868 | Silver | Matthew Conner | Weston SC | 122 | 136 | 24 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 18 | 19 | 17 | |
25 | 913 | Silver | Jonathon Cameron | Queen Mary SC | 123 | 141 | 18 | 23 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 22 | 24 | 25 | |
26 | 725 | Silver | Ian Sanderson | Royal Lymington YC | 126 | 144 | 23 | 15 | 19 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | |
27 | 880 | Silver | Howard Edwards | Queen Mary SC | 125 | 149 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 18 | 29 | 23 | 21 | |
28 | 873 | Silver | Adam Golding | Hayling Island SC | 115 | 161 | 22 | 29 | 23 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 |
Fri 02 Sep 05 13:01:10