Results / Fat Face Racing Circuit Rutland SC - 22/04/2006

The RS 800 fleet descended upon Rutland Water Sailing Club this weekend for round two of the Fat Face Race Circuit 2006. 25 boats braved the dire forecast and much to everyone�s surprise a full series of six races got underway! Race one, day one and it was straight into bow down mode for a patchy 5 knots of breeze. Fastest out of the blocks was Ollie Page and Tom Odell (Far�cla) who sailed a brilliant first beat to round the top mark in first ahead of Justin Deal and Sarah Marriott, Spod & Jane Olive (Sola Harken) in third. By the bottom mark places were just the same, but the first to spot the increasing pressure on the left hand side was Spod and Jane Olive (Sola Harken) who hitched over in what proved to be a race- winning move! 2 further laps later and the Olives (Sola Harken) took the first bullet of the day. Things were tight in the chasing pack but Dom Johnson and Jenny Heeley played it cool down the last run to take 2nd, Page and Odell (Far�cla) settling for third. Race two and the tables were about to turn�. The left looked good to begin with but those who made the early hitch to the right got to the top mark with style�. Rounding in first was Richard Keeton and Helen Rumbold closely followed by the students, Nathan Bachelor and James Clarke. A frustrated pack of seven others rounded just behind, all opting for the gybe-set back into the pressure. Second Beat and Bachelor and Clarke creamed into top spot and took up the reins at the front of the fleet. Not allowing the pressure to mount, a lap and a half later they crossed the line taking the second bullet of the day, Keeton and Rumbold sailed brilliantly to take second with Justin Deal and Sarah Marriott in 3rd, Jo & Caroline Llewellyn 4th Last race of the day and the breeze was beginning to freshen�. Ian Martin and Claire Booth (Sail4Cancer) called the shots right up the first beat to round in with a healthy lead over the chasing pack. After a bit of a tacking dual, Deal & Marriott rounded in second, with Page/Odell (Far�cla), Olive & Olive and Johnson/Heeley not far behind and not giving an inch. Three laps later Martin and Booth took the final bullet of the day, Deal and Marriott in second, Page and Odell (Far�cla) in third. Back to the shore and spring was definitely in the air� flip flops were out, patio doors open and everyone feeling a flush of colour in their cheeks (except for Julia Coatsworth with the factor 50 sun cream, her glow was due to beer rather than sun!). A great night filled with drinking games followed, and a special mention must go to fleet newcomer, Jamie Hilton, for his sailing orientated dance moves � classic! Day two, race four and a dying breeze�.. Not put off by the light stuff the entire fleet were keen at the start resulting in several teams being recalled! Johnson and Heeley picked their way through the shifts to round the top mark in first place. A huge pack followed behind and the key here was to take the puffs and sink down low! Coming out in pole position by the leeward mark was Deal & Marriott, Johnson & Heeley and Jamie Reed & Alistair Rose (Worldcom) just inches behind. Deal & Marriott consolidated their lead by the end of the race to take the first bullet of the day, Johnson and Heeley crossed in second, Reed & Rose (Worldcom), third. Race 5 and the breeze got lighter�.. The committee still went for a start and by the top of the beat barely a zephyr was to be seen. After just one lap and much to everyone�s relief the shorten course flag was raised and Johnson/Heeley crossed the line in first. Reid and Rose took second while Olive & Olive (Sola Harken) finished up third. Race 6�. Just when we thought it was over� By now Rutland Water resembled nothing more than a mirror and the Rutland Bell pleasure cruiser seemed the only way back to the shore! But the wind gods finally arrived in the form of a huge cloud � and with it the best breeze of the weekend! Another quick course change and the fleet were off! Lot�s riding on a good result in this one, the pressure was on! Loving the stronger breeze Ben Schooling and Tim Hirst reached the top mark in first having taken an early hitch over to the right hand side. Martin & Booth, the Olives (Sola Harken) and Andy Jeffries & Ally Ody rounded high in the chasing pack and went for an immediate gybe set. Suddenly a big course was beginning to feel tiny as the teams yee-ha�d it down to the starboard layline in true twin-stringing style! By lap 3 the Olives had pulled out a healthy lead but couldn�t resist giving the others a chance but putting in a short capsize on the final beat! Not quite enough for Martin and Booth to take advantage of� Jane and Spod went onto win the race, Martin and Booth second and Jeffries and Ody in third. The fleet burnt back to shore in the best breeze of the day for prize giving and the overall standings looked like this: 1st place was tied on points, but it was Dom Johnson and Jenny Heeley who proved victorious on count back to take their first circuit win. Justin Deal and Sarah Marriott settled for second and Spod and Jane Olive (Sola Harken) rounded off the podium in 3rd place. Thanks as always to Rutland Sailing Club who hosted another top event for the 800 fleet. The next circuit event is at Stokes Bay Sailing Club in two weeks time, a huge turn out is expected and the top notch social is guaranteed! Sarah Marriott RS 800 1054