Results / Noble Marine Marlow Ropes RS200 National Championship Mounts Bay SC - 05/08/2024

Congratulation to Ben Whaley and Lornba Glen, our Noble Marine Marlow Ropes RS200 National Champions 2024!

Quick links:

Day 1 on Y&Y

Day 2 on Y&Y

Day 3 on Y&Y

Day 4 on Y&Y

Day 5 and Overall Report on Y&Y

Day 1 Highlights Reel

Day 2 Highlights Reel

Day 3 Highlights Reel

Day 4 Highlights Reel

Day 5 Highlights Reel

Overall Sum Up Video

Photo Gallery, thanks to Lee Whitehead, Photolounge

Day 1, by Andrew Wishart

With 20 knots forecast, the RS 200 fleet was braced for a big first day at the 2024 nationals hosted by Mounts Bay SC. But a more moderate 12-15 knots greeted the 129 strong fleet as we sailed out to the racecourse under the majestic St Michaels Mount. What a spot for a racecourse.

The race team probably thought they had deja vu when Edd Whitehead turned up at the first windward mark of the regatta in third place, and then pushed through to the lead on the first downhill. Their eyes were not deceiving them, the champion of the 2023 RS 400 nationals has indeed upgraded from the 400 to the 200, with nephew Thomas in the front this week.

The Whiteheads overhauled Henry Hallam and Ashley Hill from Restronguet on the first run. The Cornish duo didn’t let them get away. But they were undone by a tight reach to the finish, which meant they and the Whiteheads had to beat up to the finish. That gave Tom Goodey and Richard Thomas sitting in third the opportunity to move up to second.

The main challenge of the day was the 1.5m swell, which the Whiteheads have clearly mastered. While the fleet found planing straightforward on starboard gybe, it was much harder to find the groove on port. The crews had to concentrate particularly hard, trimming the kite to the big changes in apparent wind as we accelerated down the face of the waves, and then fell off the backs.

Race 2 was sponsored by Marlow Ropes with prosecco and chocolates up for grabs. Only a handful of boats started within the first two minutes of the gate start, leaving over 100 boats to duck the gate boat. The RO was generous, keeping the gate boat motoring for 4.40 minutes; but there was still a pile up of boats trying to get around the gate launch when it stopped and drifted. Somewhere in among the carnage Tom and Richard who were 2^nd in race two hit the gate boat meaning they were disqualified. Owen Bowerman and Anabelle Orme lead off the start until Anabelle fell out. But Owen made a strong case that men’s multitasking skills are better than we get credit for (when it matters), pulling Anabelle back in while continuing to sail upwind.

At the front the evidence was growing that RS400 sailors had a speed edge on day one from their week of practice a year earlier. Edd and Thomas Whitehead didn’t let anyone else have a go at the front this time leading from start to finish. Hallam and Hill were up there again too rounding the windward in second. Ben Whaley (who crewed Edd to victory a year ago on this racecourse) and Lorna Glen arrived at the windward in third following a disappointing 17^th in race one.

But it was Jamie Harris and Ellen Main that found some better pressure to pull through to 2^nd on the run. Ben and Lorna retained third, but Hamish Waker and Emma Hivey, from the Royal Naval Sailing Association were also on the charge working their way up to 4^th, which is also where they finished in race one. Hallam and Hill came in in fifth. And another 400 sailor capitalising on their bespoke preparation, Chris Eames sailing with Anna Prescott from Queen Mary SC, were 6^th.

So at the end of day one familiar names are decorating the front of the fleet.  Mounts Bay is a real treat for every one with little tide and onshore breeze today, it was a very even racecourse which made for first rate championship racing. And on top of all of that you get a doughnut when you come in.

Day 2, by Bethan Matthew

Day two of the Noble Marine Marlow Ropes RS 200 Nationals at Mounts Bay Sailing Club delivered sunshine and a cracking wind. The top three boats from day one continued to dominate, with Henry Hallam and Ashley Hill taking the win in the first race of the day and Hamish Walker and Emma Hivey taking the win in race two.

The first race began in around 14 knots, Tim and Abbey Hire were leading at the first windward mark before unfortunately capsizing. There were many place changes in the first downwind leg before Henry Hallam and Ashley Hill took a large lead on the second upwind leg by taking the left hand side of the race course. They maintained this lead and took the win.

The second race got underway Ollie Evans and Zoe Nieveen came out of the left rounding the windward mark first. Downwind, the wind picked up and the fleet were all planing. On the second lap, it seemed to pay to take the left and play the shifts but the fleet remained close. Hamish and Emma took home the win and led the fleet ashore to be welcomed with cookies by the beach team.

Overnight, Ed and Thomas Whitehead continue to lead overall with four top five results. Hamish and Emma move up to second overall with Henry and Ashley in third. Ben Whaley and Lorna Glen have moved up to fourth overall with Tom Goodey and Richard Thomas moving up to fifth.

The fleet has the pleasure of visiting St Michaels Mount tonight by kind invitation of Lord and Lady St Levan followed by pasties at the club. We continue to be spoilt by Mounts Bay SC. Roll on day three!

Day 3, by Lorna Glen

Day 3 of the Noble Marine Marlow Ropes RS200 UK Nationals started with conditions of similar strength & direction to the previous day but without the sunshine. The first beat of the first race started with the left looking good, Tom Goodey and Richard Thomas capitalised on this. However, a huge right shift towards the top third of the beat saw those who had dug in to the right towards the mount looking golden. Rob Henderson and Alex Warren (who went right from the start) rounded first, followed by Ed and Thomas Whitehead, then Andrew and Jill Peters. Going downwind, the pressure was still in the same area of the course, hence the left paying,  Rob and Alex lead the way, Ed and Thomas still in 2nd, then Ben Whaley and Lorna Glen. The front pack of 4 stayed much the same as a game of ‘protect what you have’ seemed the game plan for the next 2 legs. In the end Ed and Thomas took their 3rd win of the week, followed by Ben and Lorna, then Rob and Alex taking 3rd.

Between races there was a slight pause to proceedings as the wind shifted further round to the west. Whilst the race team were busy moving the windward and gate marks, the fleet were entertained by an RAF Hercules flyover. Banking around the mount & over the fleet - not something you see everyday!

Race 2 had James and Daniel Whitehead as pathfinder, they headed far right when much of the fleet went for the left. However, being completely honest, my attention was focused on the 5 dolphins swimming around our bow. I had never seen a dolphin before (apologies to Ben & the boats around us as I was screaming with excitement). Mounts Bay has  truly delivered some spectacles this week. Around the windward mark attention did have to return to the racing, as there were a number of boats coming in on the port lay. Ollie Evans and Zoe Nieven lead at the first mark, followed by Jeremy and Becca Stephens, then Owen Bowerman and Annabelle Orme also looking good coming in from the left.  With so many boats coming in from the port lay there are a number of protests so results may change. The next 2 legs saw a decrease in wind, it was a case of finding the gusts and playing the shifts. Ben and Lorna did this and took the lead, closely followed by Jeremy and Becca Stephens. Left paid on the final downwind with more pressure at the  bottom of the course. Ed and Thomas gained but couldn’t catch the front two boats, so stayed behind Jeremy and Becca in 2^nd with Ben and Lorna finding some nice waves to extend their lead by the finish.

Tonight sees the big Wild West themed fancy dress party with band & chilli. We expect to see lots of cowboys and cowgirls, cacti, horses and more.

Day 4, by MJ Gifford

Sadly, today there was no racing at the Noble Marine Marlow Ropes RS200 UK Nationals.  Your intrepid reporter was sent to seek out an alternative story to cover in a grey, windy, drizzly Marazion.  After a short ponder I decided to go and interview the spectators from yesterday’s racing and get their view on events.  After donning my wetsuit and swimming out into the bay, I found the pod of dolphins that had caused such delight among the fleet.  I have provided a translation for those that don’t speak “click and whistle”.

Dolly the Dolphin – I am so glad you have come out to see us.  Where are all your friends?...and where is your boat?

MJG – I am sorry to say that we haven’t been allowed to launch today.  The race officer said he was worried about losing people.

DtD – That is a shame, we really enjoyed yesterday’s racing.  There were all these fins zipping around, whizz, whizz, whizz.  Then they changed direction, whizz, whizz, whizz again.  Some of them changed back, even more whizzing.  Then they went round the red mark and whizzed off even faster!  The calves loved that bit.

MJG – Do you watch a lot of sailing?

DtD – Oh yes, we watch loads.   We travel around to get to the best events but Mounts Bay and the RS200s are our favourites so we were really excited for this week.  When we heard who was coming we just had to be here.  Imagine getting to watch all these famous sailors all in the same place.  I think the class has such a great range of ages, sizes and abilities.  Some of the kids are so cute and it is great that the old people are still able to get around the boat.  I do worry for them a bit, they are only one slip away from doing themselves a mischief. We watched you all trundle up the mount to meet Lord & Lady St.Levan and we love it when they illuminate the castle for you sailors.

MJG – What have you made of the racing so far?

DtD -  We only watched the second race yesterday as we had to go and chase some sardines earlier in the day.  That is one of the problems for us, there is always the day job.  The racing itself was great.  People were up, then down, then back up.  The windward marks were pretty hectic and the runs were spectacular.  I was really impressed with Ben and Lorna, they had to work pretty hard to get through to the lead.  I don’t know how Ben managed to keep his concentration with all the squealing that Lorna did when she saw us.

MJG – What plans do you have for tomorrow?

DtD – We will probably watch the first race but I don’t think we will manage all three as there is a school of herring due through at about 12:30.  I hope we get to catch the finish of the third race though.  It is so finally balanced with any of the first four still in contention.  The best bit will be all the whizzing though, I am not sure I really mind whether the boats are winning or losing.  In some ways the middle of the fleet is the best bit, so many more fins!

MJG – Do you think you will make it to Abersoch next year?

DtD – Definitely, it is another great venue and I am sure the competition will be strong again.  Hopefully we will cause a bit more squealing.

MJG -  Thanks for your time and for making yesterday such a special day on the water.  Is there any chance of a tow back to the beach???

Day 5 and Overall, by Will Taylor

The final day of the 2024 Noble Marine Marlow Ropes RS200 UK National Championships was forecast to be more Northerly in direction, allowing a slightly different race course. In the boat park the discussions were all based on if we should go up a hole on the shrouds for more power. This kept changing as gusts rolled in whilst the fleet prepared. Once out on the water, it was clear the breeze would be changeable throughout the races and with 3 planned, places could be gained or lost.

In race seven, Rob Henderson and Alex Warren came in from the left and extended the first run for their first win of the week. Tim and Abbey Hire were in second with pathfinders Matt Findlay and Toby Lewis in third. Hamish and Emma came through on the run to take second

Pathfinders Oli Evans and Zoe Nieveen went right up the first beat of race eight to lead around the windward mark and escape the pack. Matt Currell and George Bender rounded second, with Joe and Clara Jones in third. Down the first run there were lots of opportunities for gains with the fleet soaking down. At the bottom mark, Oli and Zoe had established their lead which they held to the finish. Will Taylor and Faye Caswell sailed a blinder into second whilst Joe and Clara held 3rd. Then up the second beat, the leading five boats extended with shifts oscillating giving both sides a chance. Ed and Tom Whitehead climbed up to second with Matt and George in third. Then down the final run, Will and Faye snuck into third with Ed and Tom in second.

Going into the final race Ed and Tom were winning with 1 point advantage over Ben and Lorna. There was a delay in the start of the final race as the course was reset when the breeze flicked to the SW. The wind stayed shifty which Alex Smallwood and Callum Farnden took advantage of. They came in to lead from the left and extended to win. Alice Davis and Flynn Davies were second round the windward mark with Brendan and Ellen in third. Down the first run, Ben and Lorna came through to second with Rory and Henry third. At this point, the breeze had shifted to the right leaving a one-sided beat to the final windward mark allowing Jamie Harris and Ellen Main to climb to second with Ben and Lorna in third. By the finish, Ben and Lorna had managed to overhaul Jamie and Ellen to take second and secure the 2024 National Championship.

At this point, I would also like to say my thanks to the committee and fleet it has been a pleasure to be Chairman for nearly 4 years, during which we have hosted some of the largest Nationals in the country at Exe, Hayling, East Lothian and Mounts Bay. Great to see everyone having such a good time and see you on the water as I will be still be sailing next year at Abersoch. 

Results are still provisional as we had a few scoring inconsistencies but the winners of the trophies were:

1^st Overall – Ben Whaley & Lorna Glen

1^st Female Crew – Lorna Glen

1^st Youth Crew – Lorna Glen

1^St Master – Ed Whitehead

1^st Junior Crew – Thomas Whitehead

1^st We Are Family – Ed & Thomas Whitehead

1^st Loving Cup – Brendan Lynch & Ellen Clark

1^st Youth Helm - Henry Hallam

1^st Youth Boat – Henry Hallam & Ashley Hill

1^st Sibling Boat – James & Jess Hammett

1^st Junior Helm -Joe Jones

1^st Junior Boat – Imogen Wade & Hugo Valentine

1^st Silver – MJ Gifford & Rory Gifford

1^st Bronze – Mark & Ollie Jenkins Jauma

1^st Grand Master – Michael Waricker

1^st Female Team – Hannah Bristow & Bettine Harris

1^st Female Helm – Anna Sturrock

Buddy Prize – Callum Bell & Emilia Russell/Adam Catlow & Toby Dutson/Mark & Ollie Jenkins Jauma

Top University – Southampton

Top Club – Hayling Island Sailing Club

Jon Lewis Trophy – Freddie & Laurie Callaghan

Marlow Ropes Endeavour Prize – Mostyn Evans & Kit Simmonds

Marlow Raffle Prize, full year's sponsorship - Emma Hivey