CONGRATULATIONS TO LUKE AND EMMA MCEWEN OUR NEW RS800 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!

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Volvo Noble Marine RS800 UK National Championships 2016 final report

 The final day of the RS800 National Championship at Hayling Island Sailing Club dawned somewhat grey and windy, the sun occasionally peeking through as the clouds scudded past.  The fleet emerged into the dinghy park slowly and in some cases reluctantly after a hearty curry, dancing to the funky Steel Strum band and a couple of bottles of finest navy rum dispensed via the RS Boom of Doom team bonding equipment.

With 3 of the scheduled 10 races left to go, the SW 20-30 knot forecast and ebbing tide were making the racing look marginal, but the HISC race team put on a brave face and headed out in the committee boat, only to be driven back by the waves over Chichester bar.  A straw poll of the fleet indicated not much enthusiasm to race at low water inside the harbour, so both the RS400 and RS800 championships were concluded.  For entertainment we got to watch the 20 or so RS700s do battle with the sandbars in front of the clubhouse, with even the local boats finding new places to run aground.

So the final results for the RS800 championships stand as last night, including 1 discard after 7 races:

1^st Luke & Emma McEwen (Royal Lymington YC)                            11pts

2^nd Roger Phillips & Will Crocker (Emberton Park SC)                   23pts

3^rd Phil Walker & John Mather (Draycote Water SC)                         23pts

4^th Tim Saxton & Fiona Hampshire (Grafham / Royal Thames)     27pts

5^th Andy & Allyson Jeffries (Eastbourne Sovereign SC)                    29pts

6^th Pete Barton & Chris Feibusch (Lymington Town / Hayling Island) 29pts

7^th Rory Hunter & Nick Hollis (Datchet Water SC)                                 30pts

8^th Paul & Peter Jenkins (Eastbourne Sovereign SC)                          60pts

First Master Helm and Crew went to Andy and Allyson; Paul and Peter were the First Family team; Emma was first lady with Christina Bassadone as First Lady Helm; first Youths were Rory and Nick.  Cameron Moss (the youngest competitor and helm at 15 years old) and his dad Darrol won the Silver Fleet, adding a nice silver platter to the new spinnaker they won in the draw for early entry.  The Endeavour prize for finishing every race went to the Dutch team of Michiel Geerling and Jody de Jager.  The first overseas team was Gilles Peeters and Maiwenn Hermine from YC de Carnac, in 14^th place.  First buddy pair were Paul and Peter Jenkins, with Rory Hunter and Nick Hollis.  Full results below.

Varied conditions over the 7 championship races made this a good event to demonstrate the RS800 weight equalisation system.  Both light and heavy teams found their way to the front in all winds.  Combined crew weights are fully equalised from 136kg to 153kg, but boats can be competitive even outside that range: the first and second placed teams were just off opposite ends of the scale.  The lightest pair at the Nationals was 127kg, the heaviest weighed in at 172kg.

The RS800 fleet is very grateful to HISC for putting on excellent racing in often challenging conditions, keeping us safe in Saturday’s big waves and making the shore-side entertainment great fun.  Thank you to our generous sponsors Volvo, Noble Marine, Harken, RS Sailing, and Harriet at the HISC Chandlery. 

The next RS800 circuit event is at the ever-popular Eastbourne Sovereign SC on 17-18 September.

By Luke and Emma McEwen

Day Three

Thanks to the weekend entries, a larger fleet of 42 RS 800s left the beach (mostly) on time and headed out to the promised 9-11 knt NE breeze.  However, on arriving at the committee boat the breeze had built to a steady 15 kts+.  Pete Barton and Chris Feibusch quickly settled in to the increasing breeze and nailed the first race to take a 1^st, closely followed by Tim Saxton and Fiona Hampshire, and Luke and Emma McEwen in 3^rd.

With the breeze still up, the fleet were keen to get off to another race, perhaps a bit too keen which resulted in a general recall and the rest of the day being sailed under a black flag.  James Hughes and Toby Wincer were off to a flying start and lead the fleet round the top mark.  James will be the first to confess that in his new role as a helm, he was so proud at rounding the top mark first, he forgot to race the rest of the race!  Andy and Alyson took the lead on the final lap to win the race.  A last ditch attempt to gain the lead by Phil Walker and John Mather (aka “the Kids” – what cheek!) didn’t quite work but moved them up into second, closely followed by Pete and Chris.

Race three was started under a black flag, and after a general recall only caught two boats, many were seen on their hands and knees thanking whichever God they follow.  After a restart, Luke and Emma were back to form and lead all the way round the course, closely followed by Andy and Allyson.  Shout out must go to Tim Saxton and Fiona Hampshire for the most spectacular pitchpole on the first downwind.

The final race got underway in a dying breeze, but with the leftover sloppy chop made it a very tricky race course.  Surprise surprise, Luke and Emma nailed it, followed by Phil and John and Tim and Fiona keen to show they can keep the boat upright in 8-10kts came in third!

I’m not sure who won the race home, I was knackered so gave my boat to one of the 29er guys and drove the RIB in!

By Phil Walker

Up on Y&Y here

RS800 Grandstand Finish Race

After four strong races the sturdy RS800 fleet raced home to finish in a colourful blaze at the HISC club line.

Congratulations to Andy and Allyson Jeffries for first place.  Gilles Peeters and Hermine Maween came second.  Peter Barton and Chris Feibusch came third.

Thank you Harriet from the HISC Chandlery for kindly donating the big bottle of champagne prize to the winning boat.

RS800 Crew’s Union Challenge Coin

Today the RS800 Crew’s Union Challenge Coin was launched by Chair Chris Feibusch.  The super coin has the RS800 logo on one side and a smashing image of an RS800 by Emma McEwen on the reverse.  Every crew who has earned 1^st to 6^th place at a National Championship since 2001 is eligible for the coin.  Today the coins were proudly issued to: Allyson Jeffries, Chris Feibusch, Fiona Hampshire, James Hughes, John Mather, Nikki Griffin, Toby Wincer and Will Crocker.  Congratulations.  Carry your coins with pride because if you get caught out by another member of the Crews’ Union the round is on you!  Please contact [email protected] if you think you are eligible.

Day Two

38 RS800s made their way out to the bay for Day 2 of the Volvo Noble Marine National Championship. After a short delay, an 8-10 knot breeze filled in from the South West allowing racing to get underway in glorious sunshine – with the fleet managing to complete their full schedule of 3 races.

The fleet got underway at the first attempt and race 1 set the scene for the rest of the day, with those who were able to get off the line cleanly and take the first shift usually arriving at the windward mark in the top group. After a snakes and ladders style first run, the fleet was very compressed at the leeward gate, but Ralph and Sophie Singleton managed to spot a shift on the left of the second beat, whilst the rest of the pack played the right hand side and created a good lead and took the first bullet of the day, followed by Rory Hunter / Nick Hollis and Luke / Emma McEwen in the third spot. Phil Walker and John Mather took 4^th (not renowned for their appearances on day 2 of events) and Pete Barton / Chris Feibusch in 5^th.

In race 2 the wind had increased to 10 knots, allowing most boats to get twin wiring, a brief respite for those feeling a little stiff from the previous night’s merriments. A longer 3 lap race enabled the winning boats to develop a commanding lead, whilst the pack chopped and changed positions as the breeze continued to oscillate. Luke and Emma took the bullet convincingly, followed by Roger Philips / Will Crocker. After a small gap, Tim Saxton and Fiona Hampshire managed to hold off Ralph and Sophie, followed by John and Phil, to take 3^rd.

After a general recall and some delay after a big left shift race 3 finally got underway under a black flag in a dying breeze. Boats starting at the starboard end were able to maximise the line bias and when the breeze went further left could bank a gain. The top 5 were able to split out from the fleet, and with the course fairly off-set for the remainder of the race, gains were hard to come by. Roger and Will won a hard fought bullet with Luke and Emma slotting in a close 2^nd, Rory and Nick finding some great pace in the lighter breeze to overtake Phil and John on the second beat and take 3^rd place.

By John Mather

Day One

There was no racing on day one.  But the Race Officer and fleet did try!

The Form Guide to the Volvo Noble Marine RS800 National Championships 25-28 August 2016

The teams to look out for next week at Hayling Island…

Tim Saxton and Fiona Hampshire

The reigning National Champions.  No major event wins this year, but consistently quick and at least one smart tactical brain on board.  The distraction of faffing about wasting time sailing other classes this year could cost them.

Roger Philips and Will Crocker

The Cabin Boy and his super crew have competed in two events this year and won both of them, making them one of the favourites to repeat their Championship success of 2014.  At 85 years old, Roger is a lot older than he looks and will be retiring from the RS800 after this event to take up the more sedate sport of ‘big boat’ or ‘slow motion’ racing as it’s known within RS800 circles.

Luke and Emma McEwen

Since upgrading their boat over the winter this pair have found an extra speed edge powering them to two event wins this year, one of which was the European Championships sailed on Lake Garda last month.  This pair excel in the tactical sniggly stuff and are no slouches in the bigger breezes either, thanks to Emma and her now legendary guns in the front end.  The closest the class has to a ‘form’ boat at the moment.

Andy and Allyson Jeffries

Team Jeffries has certainly been going quickly this year winning lots of races and particularly revelling in the gnarlier conditions.  Fed up with writing event reports they’ll be determined not to finish 3^rd again in this event.  Whether that means slowing down or speeding up will remain to be seen.  Worryingly for everyone else they seem to have found a high pointing mode which they’ve been putting to great effect dramatically reducing the number of miles they sail up each beat.

Phil Walker and John Mather

Flashes of brilliance and supreme speed, particularly in the lighter stuff, ‘The Kids’ will undoubtedly put themselves out of contention at some point with a big night and the familiar sight the next morning of their boat in the dinghy park with the cover still on as the fleet heads out to the race course.  Their uncanny ability to sniff out a bangin’ party within a 20 mile radius won’t be necessary at this event with the social programme that’s planned.

Christina Bassadone and Natasha Gladman

With an ex-Olympian at the helm expect this lightweight duo to be at the front end of the fleet especially in the lighter conditions.  A lack of practice time in the boat might be the only limitation, but never rule out an ex-pro and a fiercely competitive pitbull in the front.

Pete Barton and Chris Feibusch

This pair of old farts have shown they’ve got the pace to threaten at the front if they can just manage to put a series together without a string of black flag disqualifications, being taken out by other boats and finishing a lap early.  Pete is a multiple past champion and will be keen to prove he’s still got it, putting his faith in Chris who isn’t a past champion and some might say never had it.

Laurie Fitzjohn-Sykes and Anna Babtie

A welcome sight back in the class, Laurie is a past National Champion.  A last minute entry, so may struggle with a lack of practice, but never rule out a proven performer and former champion.  There’s brain power in this boat too, which is always a powerful tool.

Paul and Peter Jenkins

Father and son team improving with every event.  With the super-fit lever of a crew in Peter this pair will be hoping for big breezes.  Being a teenager Peter gets bored easily and his attention span may not be enough to last a whole race if conditions are light.  Pokey monsters positioned at each turning mark could really help in this situation.

Martin Orton and Ian Brookes

Fully signed up members of the Chichester Harbour ‘Dad’s Army’, this experienced pair seem to have made a step gain in performance this season, which can be traced back to the class coaching weekend at Itchenor earlier in the year.  Coaches Tim Saxton and Roger Philips need to hope they didn’t give too many of their secrets away.

James Hughes and Toby Wincer

A pair of rock star crews in a boat together, one a former Int 14 POW winner and the other a former RS800 National Champion crew.  If one of them could just figure out how to steer, this pair could be podium potential.  Fierce competitors on the water and possibly lovers off it, nobody’s sure, one thing is for certain; these two will be the life and soul of the social scene.

Also look out for:-

A new generation coming through with an invasion of 29er hotshots, Nick Robins sailing with Tom Darling and Elliott Wells sailing with James Eales and ex 29er stars Hannah Diamond and Sophie Porteus…

Also the overseas entries from France and Holland will be relatively unknown quantities and could well be battling it out at the front.

Event website: http://www.rs800.org/championships/cindex.asp?eid=1355

Weekend only reduced entry fee available

By Chris Feibusch