RS200 Summer Championship including SW Ugly & EaSea Tours 2024

With a strong entry list and the last opportunity for racing before Nationals at Mounts Bay we were all excited to get racing in Poole Bay.

Day 1 dawned with sunshine and a forecast that suggested a building afternoon breeze. Following the briefing and warm welcome to the club the launch flag was hoisted and the fleet launched with spinnakers hoisted to sail to the ‘Top Triangle’. Unfortunately once we arrived the breeze we had quickly died and a light drizzle started. This was the beginning of what turned into a long afternoon for the fleet. Whilst the breeze continued to find a new point on the compass to come from the rain only seemed to stay over us. After over 90 mins in the rain the clouds finally moved away but the wind did not fill in. Temperatures at this point dropped to the point the water became warmer than the air, fortunately the sunshine finally reappeared and allowed the fleet to dry wet spray tops on booms. With some in the fleet who didn't bring a spray top bartering those that did for a quick respite. With another rain cloud looming and the fleet pointing home the race officer decided the best option was to head home for an ice cream and evening in the club and surrounding town. Following meals at either the club or local curry house the fleet assembled at the Bermuda Triangle where we were told would be a pool table but this must have got lost in the curse. We did bump into the Race Officer for the wing foiling ‘Arky’ who made us feel better about our lack of racing.

Day 2 dawned in a similar way to day 1 with sunshine and an oddly strong south easterly breeze. After the previous day the Race Officer decided to leave the fleet ashore and head out to the race course to wait for the South Westerly to develop before sending the fleets out. Eventually just 11:30 the fleet launched into a 6-8 knot SW. Once at the race course it was clear gusts and shifts were going to be the order of the day. After the obligatory general recall for a 200 fleet doing line starts we were away under a Black Flag. Quickest out the blocks were Merrick Stanley and Vic Upton who saw the right hand shift on the first beat and held Ben Whaley and Lorna Glen behind until the final run with Will Taylor and Faye Caswell rounding out the podium. Race 2 saw the windward mark moved right and closer to the shore which gave some challenges with where the breeze was coming from. In this race it was Richard and Paru Edwards using their home advantage to beat use to take the win with Matt Venables and Bethan Matthew in second and Matt Findley and Toby Lewis in third. It's worth noting Matt and Toby are sailing in 262, which goes to show old boats can still perform with good sailors and new sails. The final race saw the breeze flick back and increase slightly to hiking conditions. The 3pm cut off came 5 mins into the Race so results would be the total with no discards and with no one achieving all podiums it left the results open. Ben and Lorna took the victory with Richard and Paru in second and David Jessop and Sophie Mear third.

Overall Richard and Paru Edwards took the win with an 8,1,2 followed by Ben and Lorna second, 1,11,1, and Will and Faye in third, 3,9,6. Great to see lots of people getting ready for the Noble Marien Marlow RS200 Nationals and with some fancy dress ideas being passed around, there is much anticipation for a great event. Just over a week left to enter!

Thanks must go to event sponsors: Rooster for the National Tour, West Country Boat Repairs SW Ugly Tour and Sailing Chandlery EaSEA Tour. A big thank you also to all of the club volunteers who helped run the event from the water side to the bread of food produced for after racing on Sunday to ensure we went home with a full stomach.

Will Taylor