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

CONGRATULATIONS TO TOM MORRIS AND TOMMY DARLING 2024 RS800 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!

Great photos thanks to Digital Sailing.  You can buy photos from the superb event gallery here: Home (digitalsailing.co.uk)

Don't forget to use the code RS800NATS 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, Spinlock and Fernhurst Books.

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

Day one

Day two and three

Day four

Prize giving list

Runners and riders

RS800 Noble Marine National Championship Day One

Day one of the RS800 Noble Marine Nationals could be described as atmospheric.  Big puffy clouds pushed out to sea bringing bursts of brilliant sunshine and occasional deluges of rain.  The sea at times looked moody and foreboding and the next minute it was calm and serene.  Bizzarely, the cold Northerly wind meant that water temperature was more pleasant than air.  It was strange seeing sailors dipping their hands in to warm up.

Due to lighter winds forecasted later in the week, the race team opted to run a third race.  Despite the unexpected cold I think this was probably a wise decision given the fantastic racing conditions.  The Northerly breeze meant for some interesting swings and pressure channels as teams changed modes up the race course to deal with the shifting pressure.

Race one saw Rob Gullan and Tom Partington take a good lead at mark one.  The chasing pack included Tom Morris and Tommy Darling, Tinned Gratin and Arthur Henderson, David Conlon and Ed Gibbons, and Monique Vennis-Ozanne and Hugh Shone.  As the boats punched downwind and shuffled positions at the corners, it ended with a good win for Rob and Tom, a consolidated second place for Tom and Tommy, and third for Monique and Hugh.

Race two saw a more concerted push from Tom and Tommy from the off.  They blasted the first beat to look comfortable at the top.  Rob and Tom did their best to reel them in but it was not to be.  Again, Monique and Hugh wriggled their way into third and watched the duel in front keenly - waiting for a slip up.

The final race of the day got away after a shuffle of the course as the wind went hard right and reduced (after a particularly freezing rain shower and mini squall).  There was great impetus from the race team to get the final race in despite the non-compliant wind. 

Hard port bias and tide pushing boats back from the line made for a particularly messy start at the pin.  With teams bailing out all over the line and panicked tacks it was all very chaotic.  Meanwhile Tom and Tommy managed to stay clean and led the charge for the second race in a row.  Monique and Hugh held out left to sneak in at the top in second only to be instantly rolled by Rob and Tom.  The fleet was much more compact with Alex Smallwood and Toby Freeland, and Chris Feibusch and Matt Alvarado also looking interested.  With Tom and Tommy, and Rob and Tom both extending away things looked settled.  However sailing is never that straightforward.  Monique and Hugh caught a good band of pressure on the last downwind.  They ate up the meters on Rob and Tom and managed to sneak their noses in front right at the last.

With less wind today everyone is expecting the racing to get tighter and with the shifty Northerly breezewe can expect more snakes and ladders to keep everyone on their toes.  Wrap up warm everyone!

Report by Hugh Shone

Up on Y&Y here

RS800 Noble Marine National Championship Days Two and Three

Day two  flashed past with two great races.  Tom Morris and Tommy Darlingshowed the fleet a clean pair of heels with two comprehensive wins with their great boat speed in marginal conditions.  Breaking the strangle hold of podiums positions Tinned D’Gratin and Arthur Hendersun managed to hold off Rob Gullan and Tom Partinton on the long reach to the finish.  Race five followed more to form with Monique Vennis-Ozanne and Hugh Shone settling in third ahead of fast charging head of insight Ben Palmer and Bruna

De Quieroz.

Saturday dawned with a light Easterly breeze however the race team nailed the early launch to catch the sea breeze right on the nose.  Is that a saying?  It is now.

The fleet was treated to three epic races in wonderful conditions.  The top three consolidated despite some spicy coming together activities on the start line.  The black flag even appeared and caught Rob and Tom in race six.

The real highlight of the day, virtue of the race team getting the silly sailing done quickly, was the beach rounders.  Crews obliterated the helms.  It was a confident display with the crews dismantling the helms with ease, showing superior athleticism and strategy.  It ended 14 to 10 to the crews.

Report by Arthur Henderson

Up on Y&Y here

RS800 Noble Marine National Championship Wrap Up

The final day of racing at the 2024 Noble Marine RS800 National Champs bore witness to a masterclass from the race team as they held their nerve to get another two excellent races in before the 3pm cut off.  It meant that we were able to complete the full championship series and with it the curtain came down on yet another wonderful RS800 Nationals.  An event filled with sunshine, better than predicted breeze and with good racing throughout the fleet, oodles of competition.

Race nine saw a flying start from the top three podium boats.  Monique Vennis-Ozanne and Hugh Shone took a bit too long to come back out of the tide and handed the incentive to Tom Morris and Tommy Darling, and Rob Gullan and Tom Partington. As the boats blasted onto the reach, kites up and pushing for the wing mark it was apparent that Tom and Tommy had rigged their kite wrong.  If they are reading this, please do check out the excellent Mozzy Sails RS800 videos on YouTube for rigging tips and tricks.  Whilst Tommy did his best to resolve the issue, Tom and Rob shot off into the lead to take the win with Monique and Hugh nipping at their rudder stock.  Meanwhile, David Brand & Matt Currell took an excellent third after a couple of boats found that they had been OCS.

Race ten saw a more open field as the top three all departed for various reasons or boat issues.  It was the Dyer brothers, Michael and Samuel, who took advantage to scoop up 1st Silver Fleet boat overall with a fantastic win to end the event in style.  Bryan and Anna came home second to jump into fourth overall and David Brand and Matt Currell consolidated on their wonderful final day with another third.  Always brilliant to see fresh faces battling it out at the pointy end.

As the boats streamed in back in from the Bay, all could feel contented having been spoilt by four days of excellent skiff racing, slickly run and well-oiled with some great socials.  Curry house jaunts, intensely competitive beach rounders and a cracking 25^th anniversary dinner where we all learnt more of the origin story via Nick Peters. Thank you very much to Hayling Island Sailing Club for a fabulous event.  Thank you to our great sponsors Noble Marine, RS Sailing, Rooster, Spinlock, and Fernhurst Books.

Many congratulations to Tom Morris and Tommy Darling for a superb performance to take the Championship at their home club.  Rob Gullan and Tom Partington had a very credible go at dislodging Tom but ultimately came home in second ahead of Monique Vennis-Ozanne and Hugh Shone.  This gave Monique first youth and female helm in third overall.

All in all a superb event that saw a warming mix of old faces returning and new races joining the melee.  The class continues to offer attainable performance to such a wide variety of sailors and team make-ups. For those of you already missing the buzz of great RS800 racing, never fear The Tide Ride is just around the corner!

Report by Hugh Shone

Up on Y&Y here

Ellen McArthur Cancer Trust RS800 Spinnaker Raffle

Spinnaker kindly donated by RS Sailing.  Winner: Robyn Francis

RS800 Nationals Full Prize Giving List:

Best apprentice NEW trophy: Herne Bay SC Mike and Sam Dyer

Endeavour Trophy: Castle Cove SC Andy and Will Adler

3^rd Weekend: Datchet WSC Huw Whitworth and Harry Wilson

2^nd Weekend: QMSC Paris Thomas and Marta Uncio-Ribero

1^st Weekend: HISC Alice and Barney Thorsby

1^st Silver: Herne Bay SC Mike and Sam Dyer

Spinlock 1999 Prize for boat with sail no lower than 1118: OCSS Alex Smallwood and Toby Freeland

1^st Master Crew: HISC Matt Alvarado

1^st Master Helm: HISC Chris Feibusch

1^st Youth Crew: HISC James Hall

1^st Youth Helm: HISC Monique Vennis-Ozanne

1^st Lady Crew: QMSC Anna Ormond

1^st Lady Helm: HISC Monique Vennis-Ozanne

6^th place: crew’s union challenge coin: Brightlingsea SC David Conlon and Ed Gibbons

5^th place: crew’s union challenge coin: Royal Thames YC Tim Gratton and Arthur Henderson

4^th place: crew’s union challenge coin:  QMSC Bryan and Anna Ormond

3^rd place: HISC and Swanage SC Monique Vennis-Ozanne and Hugh Shone

2^nd place: HISC Rob Gullan and Tom Partington

1^st place and RS800 2024 National Champions: crew’s union challenge coin: HISC Tom Morris and Tommy Darling

Runners and Riders 2024 RS800 Noble Marine National Championship at Hayling Island Sailing Club

After apocalyptic levels of rain over the last few days, dare I say it can’t get any worse for the Nationals later this week...I mean surely there can't be a drop of moisture left in the sky after all that! 

Whilst the sun might be a distant memory, things are sure to heat up with the upcoming battle for RS800 Nationals glory about to take place in Hayling Bay.  With a mixture of old faces, new faces and faces which probably have not entered yet, we take a look at those battling for the top 10.

Tom Morris and Tommy Darling:

With the lingering uncertainty as to who Tom would team up with in the absence of Guy Filmore, there were a few milligrams of hope that the door to the title would be left slightly ajar.  However Tom could hardly have scooped a more capable replacement with the bullet train fast Tommy jumping on board. They are certainly going to be up there and pushing the front.  Will Tom’s jaunty outings in the Europe Class somehow rendered him useless in an 8? probably not.

Rob Gullan and Tom Partington:

A couple of rare sightings in the RS800 these two.  Whilst normally found to be hibernating for the rest of the year (pursuing other interests) they are often spotted by the keen twitcher swinging in at pace at the occasional RS800 Nationals and this year is no exception.  They’ve come close before and it would be no surprise to see another royal rumble at the top of the order.

Monique Vennis-Ozanne and Hugh Shone:

Where youthful hunger for glory and natural talent meets slightly exhausted dad with endless amounts of waffle.  Whilst coming second in basically every race at the Euros these two are looking to do one better. They even had a quick practice sail earlier in the week where the event was discussed in some depth...and chances that fungus might be controlling humanity, in a lot more detail.

Tim Gratton (not to be mistaken with Tin Gratton) and Arthur Henderson:

Tim’s been in and out of the RS800 more times than a woodpecker in a soft oak and so arrives with buckets of experience.  With the joyfully exuberant Arthur Henderson in tow these two will get better as the event progresses (or worse depending on how the socials regress).  Either way, a very talented duo who will keep everyone honest in their pursuit of the championship.

Geoffrey Carveth and Lesley Dhonau:

With a super impressive track record in multiple classes and excellent local knowledge (eg code to get into the changing rooms), we can expect a lot from this pair.  Only raced against them once in Garda where they were occasionally rapid and occasionally chaotic, will a few more years in the boat have honed their skills? Most definitely!

Cameron Moss and Darrol Moss:

Darrol was last spotted elbow deep in a soup of the day and Cameron has been earning his stripes at Top Gun / Exeter Airport /EasyJet / somewhere above our heads / I don’t actually know I must catch up with him to find out more, so who knows if these two are still lightning quick in the big breeze.  If so, brace brace brace and hold onto your bucket hats as the wave happy Moss Bros will be coming in at Lyme Regis pace.

Ben Palmer and Bruna de Queiroz:

I can only imagine Ben’s sales pitch in the course of entering this one.  “Yes of course it will be blazingly sunny in early September, the most gorgeous time of the year”.  Well how things pan out hey.  Despite what seems like a particularly grey take on an Indian summer, Ben and Bruna always have a way of wiggling their way to the front and with a new boat it is only assumed that their wiggling will be weally wery good.

Chris Feibusch and Matt Alvarado:

Long standing but short in stature, Chris has had a massive impact on the class over the years.  He pushed for crew sheeting and then almost immediately started doing more helming because he is clearly very lazy. Matt’s been given the grunty bit.

Bryan Ormond and Anna Ormond:

Always easy to spot with their English Channel spanning rack set-up, these two will be eeking out a few extra nuggets of boat speed with their very shiny new boat.  They already take up half the start line and they are coming for the podium next.

Ralph Singleton and A N Nother:

I’m going to assume Ralph has managed to sign up the elusive Amadeus Napolean Nother.  Let’s be honest this would not be an RS800 Runners and Riders without mentioning Ralph’s undying loyalty to the port flyer at whatever cost.  Often executed cleanly, without fuss and with a short, sharp high-pitched yelp, it really is a beautiful thing to behold.

Fred Lord and Louise Gale:

Last spotted helping the RS800 quiz team at the Lymington Open avoid dead last place by the skin of their teeth.  This pair aren't just a bunch of pretty faces with some random knowledge about the nationality of horses competing at the Olympics and whether they need to be born in the same countries as the riders they are competing with - they are also really handy RS800 sailors with some random knowledge about the nationality of horses competing at the Olympics and whether they need to be born in the same countries as the riders they are competing with.  I can’t remember the answer to that one.

See you at HISC 12-15 September for the 2024 RS800 Nationals!

Not yet entered?  Don’t worry!  You can enter on paper in person at registration.  See the event website here

Up on Y&Y here