Results / Easter Grand Slam Weston SC - 06/04/2012
Seventy, yes, seventy (70!) RS800�s made the trip to Plymouth for the Nationals over the bank holiday weekend in August. After protests at last year�s class meeting and requests for an alternate venue, this was a nice surprise. Quite a surprise too for Mayflower SC as they were expecting 50.
Day one and Plymouth was true to form, 3 knots of breeze from the SW and 2 races inside the breakwater. For 40 of the boats present this was a bit of a come down after Lake Garda. With the start line strategically positioned next to Drake Island and the windward mark positioned in the middle of the channel in the Western side of the breakwater coin flicking was required on the start line to decide which way to go and no real pattern to which way was favoured, it was embarrassing for the rest of us when after a few general recalls (a running theme for the rest of the week), Steve Irish and Martin Gotrel get a 1,2 and Clive and Philip Goodwin score 4,1. Dom Johnson and Jenny Healey also sailed very well in their first RS event proper to score 2,6. Merlin Rocket legend Phil King sailing with Andrew Robertson finished 3rd in race one after leading at the weather mark.
After the usual messy RS night out, the fleet awoke on day two to classic 15 �18 knots WSW and nice rolling waves out in the bay, perhaps it was going to be a good regatta? PRO and Commodore of Mayflower Dave Curno took the fleet outside into the bay. After a short postponement, James Date and Mark Hogan built a comfortable lead followed by Irish/Gotrel. Unfortunately at this point the marks started to drift off and the rescue boat trying to restore the leeward gate got its prop around the anchor warp, anchored stern to in the waves and got swamped. Race abandoned. After a further half an hour sitting around the fleet were taken back inside the harbour for some change-sides-when-the-sails-do mickey mouse racing. Haworth/Aston led out of the start line and never looked back to take the win followed again by Goodwin/Goodwin who were now leading the regatta. Mike Senior and Toby Wincer claimed 3rd. And that was all we had time for in the 5 hours spent on the water.
Day 3 and an early start to catch up the lost race program? Fortunately for some this was not the case and the 1300 start remained. Anyway, out in the bay for 4 races. Upon leaving the harbour by the Eastern exit and sailing downwind to find the committee boat, the fleet were surprised to have to harden up to find the committee boat. Perfect conditions out in the bay though, with 20 knots NW and nice waves again, shame we were right up against the breakwater in shifty patchy conditions, ranging from out of control to capsized to windward.
Race one and it was Ben McGrane and Pete Lindley leading at the windward mark, followed by Date/Hogan and Haworth/Aston. Date/Hogan moved into the lead. The orange start line flag still flew from the committee boat and the race had only been going half an hour, so off round for another lap to watch McGrane/Lindley and Haworth/Aston sail through the finish. Date/Hogan turned around to return to the finish only to watch the other two start racing again after receiving no sound signal, so turned round again for another lap. The board had been changed from 6 to 3 laps before the 5 minute signal, but the Race Committee seemed unaware that we had done three laps already, and this one was going to be decided in the protest room. Regatta leaders Goodwin/Goodwin had a lucky escape from all this drama as they were convincingly sunk by Lizzie Edwards and Ian Williams and amazingly managed to get home despite the hole in the underside of their boat and the long upwind sail back in from outside the breakwater in a partially submerged boat! McGrane/Lindley stayed on top form for the rest of the day scoring 1,3,3 and Haworth/Aston scored 9,2,2. Dave Sayce and Chris Doe scored a 3rd in the 2nd race of the day to add to their 4th and 5th from Saturday and Sunday to move them up the leader board. Ronnie Miller and Pete Marshall took a superb win in race three after coming from left hand side on lap 2 to overtake the leaders who had stayed right out of the leeward gate, and they pulled away to win comfortably: Ronnie�s first RS Nationals race win I believe! Irish/Gotrel won the last race of the day to follow up their 2 and a 4 in the previous 2 races. Ollie Page and James Perry also had a good day with a 5,10,5 to add to a 7th from day one, this saw them in the top 6.
Some people had had enough and headed home on Monday night leaving a depleted fleet of 50 boats to wait around on Tuesday morning for a sea breeze to fill in so that they could top the week off with some more harbour racing. This gave time to sort out protests and redress requests from the day before, Race 4 was lobbed out and Clive and Phil were awarded average points for the three races they missed. With their previous races being 4,1,2, they were looking good overall and it was all to play for between Irish/Gotrel and the Goodwins. The breeze built nicely to occasional twin wiring conditions.
As they did last year, Irish/Gotrel came out and won the last two races, to take a convincing and deserved victory after sailing very well all year. Counting 4 firsts and 2 seconds in a fleet of this quality is not a bad result! Clive and Phil secured 2nd overall with an excellent 3,2 on the final day having only competed in just over half the regatta! Haworth/Aston completed their comeback from a first day disaster to get 5, 5 and take 3rd overall. McGrane/Lindley did enough to hold fourth and Date/Hogan salvaged themselves to 5th with a 2, 4 on the last day.
Definitely an interesting week and well summed up by Steve in his speech, �at least the races we had were okay!� and �all in all a good Nationals�. Top marks to the club members and volunteers who helped the shore side of things run smoothly however, particularly the galley staff for the all-day catering plus the commodore�s reception and barbeque evenings. And even more top marks to Dave Curno for remaining good humoured throughout!
Two major pluses from the long weekend: 70 boats at the Nationals after 40 at Garda, with plenty of enthusiasm, new faces in the fleet, and the new people from last year starting to make an impression as they find their feet in the boat. And of course Steve Irish and Martin Gotrel very worthy National Champions.
There was discussion at the class meeting about splitting the fleet: running round robin flights leading to a day of finals as they do with the 49er. If the fleet continues to grow this would be a good move, with more room on the race course, closer points at the top and prizes lower down the order for the top in the silver fleet. The Inlands and the Tide Ride are next, and next year the Nationals are at Pwllheli Sailing Club, one of the best venues in the country, with superb sailing, easy launching off the beach, and nowhere for everyone to disappear to in the evenings, so the socials in the marquee should be fantastic.
Note: Race 4 was void.
Place, Sail No, G/S, Helm, Crew, Home Club, Race 1, Race 2, Race 3, Race 4, Race 5, Race 6, Race 7, Race 8, Race 9, Points
1, 1058, G, Steve Irish, Mark Gotrell, Draycote Water Sailing Club, 1, 2, 6, , 2, 4, 1, 1, 1, 8
2, 1061, G, Clive Goodwin, Philip Goodwin, Brightlingsea Sailing Club, 4, 1, 2, , 2.4, 2.4, 2.4, 3, 2, 12
3, 1064, G, Chris Haworth, Stuart Aston, Bristol Corinthian Y C, 16, 71, 1, , 9, 2, 2, 5, 5, 24
4, 1044, G, Ben McGrane, Pete Lindley, HISC/RYA, 71, 14, 4, , 1, 3, 3, 8, 15, 33
5, 1080, G, James Date, Mark Hogan, Stokes Bay Sailing Club, 7, 13, 12, , 21, 7, 10, 2, 4, 42
6, 1057, G, Alan Olive, Jane Norris, Stokes Bay Sailing Club, 21, 31, 9, , 4, 6, 13, 7, 8, 47
7, 1065, G, Ronald Millar, Peter Marshall, Dalgety Bay Sailing Club, 13, 12, 71, , 6, 1, 71, 15, 7, 54
8, 985, G, David Sayce, Chris Doe, Hayling Island Sailing Club, 17, 4, 5, , 3, 12, 21, 16, 21, 57
9, 1054, G, Justin Deal, Sarah Marriott, Datchet Water Sailing Club, 71, 8, 10, , 11, 25, 9, 12, 11, 61
10, 964, G, Ian Martin A, John Marshall, Datchet Water Sailing Club, 25, 3, 16, , 13, 20, 71, 4, 13, 69
11, 1010, G, Oliver Page, James Perry, Lancing Sailing Club, 71, 7, 17, , 5, 10, 5, 34, 26, 70
12, 839, G, Alex Davies, Sarah Hughes, Draycote Water Sailing Club, 5, 38, 11, , 16, 19, 14, 26, 12, 77
13, 860, G, Andy Jeffries, Allyson Ody, Eastbourne Sovereign Sailing Club, 71, 15, 18, , 7, 5, 19, 33, 20, 84
14, 931, G, Mike Senior, Toby Wincer, Bolton Sailing Club, 10, 37, 3, , 15, 14, 71, 10, 71, 89
15, 885, G, Tim Boon, R Evans, , 6, 11, 71, , 12, 21, 27, 25, 17, 92
16, 918, G, Ian Gore, Andrew Pickerell, Grafham Water Sailing Club, 9, 26, 71, , 25, 30, 17, 9, 14, 100
17, 961, G, Philip King, Andrew Robertson, Oxford Sailing Club, 3, 25, 33, , 34, 71, 71, 11, 3, 109
18, 1059, G, Ralph Singleton, Sophie Singleton, Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club, 12, 17, 21.6, , 28, 27, 22, 13, 32, 113
19, 874, S, Jamie Reid, Alastair Rose, Royal Thames Y C, 24, 71, 24, , 22, 31, 15, 6, 23, 114
20, 1046, G, Charlie Coulborn, Richard Buckingham, , 35, 40, 13, , 26, 8, 4, 37, 34, 120
21, 1047, S, Dan Holman, Jeremey Elliott, Kinsale YC, 15, 71, 45, , 8, 16, 71, 17, 19, 120
22, 989, G, Craig Hepplewhite, Ben Schooling, Datchet Water Sailing Club, 33, 35, 22, , 14, 17, 20, 27, 24, 124
23, 1075, S, Lizzie Edwards, Ian Williams, , 71, 20, 71, , 40, 23, 12, 32, 9, 136
24, 1050, G, Matt Adams, John Date, Stokes Bay Sailing Club, 23, 16, 71, , 10, 11, 7, 71, 71, 138
25, 919, G, Chris Stevens, Nick Farrer, , 19, 27, 71, , 24, 13, 71, 23, 36, 142
26, 878, G, Sam Neal, Mandy Bretherton, Grafham Water Sailing Club, 38, 10, 28, , 39, 71, 71, 19, 10, 144
27, 925, G, Simon Jenkins, Neil Arnott, Eastbourne Sovereign Sailing Club, 28, 36, 39, , 31, 28, 11, 18, 28, 144
28, 943, G, Laurie Fitzjohn-sykes, Daniel Allin, Paignton Sailing Club, 20, 9, 20, , 71, 71, 71, 14, 16, 150
29, 1084, G, Matt Critchley, Ben Stiff, Stokes Bay Sailing Club, 43, 34, 19, , 30, 26, 23, 28, 27, 153
30, 979, S, Chris Hoppens, Martin Winter, Mayflower SC, 48, 71, 32, , 18, 36, 16, 35, 22, 159
31, 909, S, Alex Taylor, Sam Lones, South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club, 40, 42, 27, , 36, 42, 8, 20, 30, 161
32, 808, G, Daniel Tregaskes, Polly Tresgaskes, Restronguet Sailing Club, 26, 30, 71, , 20, 37, 24, 29, 37, 166
33, 956, G, Ian Martin, Claire Booth, Datchet Water Sailing Club, 32, 29, 71, , 19, 9, 6, 71, 71, 166
34, 974, G, Ian Jubb, Jamie Gebhard, Hayling Island Sailing Club, 59, 21, 25, , 17, 15, 29, 71, 71, 166
35, 836, S, Derek Buchanan, Elaine Buchanan, Oxford Sailing Club, 52, 58, 41, , 35, 33, 18, 22, 18, 167
36, 932, G, Dom Johnson, Jenny Heeley, , 2, 6, 15, , 42, 41, 71, 71, 71, 177
37, 991, S, Malcolm Streeton, Miles Roebuck, Hayling Island Sailing Club, 71, 43, 26, , 38, 29, 25, 31, 39, 188
38, 926, G, Alastair Shires, Penny Shires, Stokes Bay Sailing Club, 44, 22, 42, , 37, 34, 26, 30, 45, 191
39, 916, S, Babs Emmans, Roland Emmans, Weston Sailing Club, 37, 47, 29, , 43, 32, 28, 41, 42, 209
40, 938, G, Simon Bishop, N/k , Downs Sailing Club, 50, 23, 34, , 44, 38, 30, 51, 47, 216
41, 881, G, Andrew Connah, Orwin Murray, Wessex SC, 47, 33, 36, , 71, 71, 71, 24, 6, 217
42, 929, G, Nigel Furness, Philip Henry, Draycote Water Sailing Club, 31, 39, 23, , 29, 24, 71, 71, 71, 217
43, 809, S, William Smith, Chris Crabb, Lymington Town Sailing Club, 71, 56, 35, , 71, 35, 31, 21, 46, 224
44, 1074, S, G R Llewellyn, Caroline Ellis, Royal Torbay YC, 18, 71, 14, , 33, 18, 71, 71, 71, 225
45, 833, S, Pippa Baker, Mostyn Evans, Mounts Bay, 39, 57, 40, , 48, 40, 32, 46, 35, 232
46, 892, S, David Pike, Robert Pike, Eastbourne Sovereign Sailing Club, 46, 51, 8, , 23, 39, 71, 71, 71, 238
47, 883, S, Kate Gillow, Katie Savage, Draycote Water Sailing Club, 37, 49, 71, , 47, 43, 71, 39, 25, 240
48, 890, G, Richard Keeton, Helen Rumbold, Royal Lymington Yacht Club, 57, 14, 38, , 71, 71, 71, 36, 44, 260
49, 853, S, Ian Macmillan, James Butler, Medway S C, 51, 44, 46, , 32, 71, 71, 44, 48, 265
50, 1063, S, David Ching, Robert Holdway, Poole Yacht Club, 41, 50, 37, , 46, 71, 71, 48, 43, 265
51, 987, G, Neil Bond, Jo Bond, Stokes Bay Sailing Club, 54, 18, 44, , 71, 71, 71, 38, 41, 266
52, 914, G, Andy Postle, Lisa Postle, Royal Western Yacht Club, 8, 28, 21, , 71, 71, 71, 71, 71, 270
53, 1051, G, Jon Partridge, Joshua Richardson, Netley S C, 22, 48, 43, , 71, 22, 71, 71, 71, 277
54, 941, G, Chris Catt, Mark Heather, Downs Sailing Club, 11, 5, 53, , 71, 71, 71, 71, 71, 282
55, 1085, S, Neil Harris, Steve Howle, Paignton Sailing Club, 53, 53, 71, , 41, 71, 71, 40, 31, 289
56, 1000, S, Simon Smith, Mark Westley, Datchet Water Sailing Club, 60, 55, 71, , 49, 46, 33, 49, 71, 292
57, 1013, G, Rob Style, Ben Lister, n/k, 30, 46, 71, , 71, 71, 71, 50, 29, 297
58, 856, S, Howard Smith, Dave Roberts, Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club, 55, 59, 71, , 27, 44, 71, 43, 71, 299
59, 864, S, Adrian Coatsworth, Julia Jenkins, Alton Water Sailing Club, 42, 71, 31, , 71, 71, 71, 47, 38, 300
60, 1007, S, Simon Geyman, Rosie, Datchet Water Sailing Club, 61, 61, 47, , 45, 45, 71, 52, 50, 300
61, 911, S, Ross Mckerchar, Stuart Gardiner, Helensburgh Sailing Club, 49, 32, 71, , 71, 71, 71, 42, 40, 305
62, 848, S, Phillip Highfield, Luke Harwood, Waveney & Oulton Broad S C, 36, 54, 71, , 71, 71, 71, 45, 33, 310
63, 1055, S, Rory Sharvill, James Cooke, Downs Sailing Club, 45, 41, 30, , 71, 71, 71, 71, 71, 329
64, 1011, S, James Ross, Heather Back, Hamble River Sailing Club, 58, 52, 7, , 71, 71, 71, 71, 71, 330
65, 980, G, Allan Higgs, Alexa Lyon-dean, Hayling Island Sailing Club, 29, 19, 71, , 71, 71, 71, 71, 71, 332
66, 1077, G, Paul Taylor, Julia Taylor, Datchet Water Sailing Club, 34, 24, 71, , 71, 71, 71, 71, 71, 342
67, 986, S, Roger Shapland, Charles Ainsworth, Bewl Valley Sailing Club, 56, 62, 71, , 71, 71, 71, 53, 49, 362
68, 1052, S, Paul Kelly, M McIlroy, , 27, 71, 71, , 71, 71, 71, 71, 71, 382
69, 934, S, Jonno Ratnage, Max Goulden, Medway S C, 71, 45, 71, , 71, 71, 71, 71, 71, 400
70, 816, S, Kevin Poole, Mark Mulberry, , 71, 60, 71, , 71, 71, 71, 71, 71, 415