RS 700s at Chorus SC

White wins gusty weekend

RS700 Fat Face Racing Circuit event at Chorus SC, 3/4 April 2004

Classic Welsh weather greeted the 700 fleet for the Fat Face circuit event this weekend at Chorus Lake - it was raining, but windy too.

With the wind blowing across the lake the race officer used the maximum space available, but the course was still relatively short for the 700s who really fly in these conditions.

Andy White started the weekend as he meant to continue, getting off to a flying start in race 1, and disappearing in to the distance. Tony Freer followed, chased by Steve Marshall and Nigel Walbank.

Race 2 began in a similar vein, but on the penultimate lap White capsized downwind twice,letting Jon Heissig and Tony Freer through. White chased hard, but finished second just behind Freer with Hessig slipping to third.

The wind dropped dramatically for race 3. White rounded the windward mark first with Freer second, Hessig third. These positions remained unchanged at the finish, with Tom Offer sneaking into fourth.

Sunday dawned with more wind. Tony Freer shot out of the traps of race 4, but down wind took his usual first gybe swim, handing the lead to Dave Griffiths. On the second lap White took the lead with Walbank, David Aston and Freer chasing. These positions remained the same until Freer sailed Aston past the finish to steal third.

Heissig stormed to an early lead in race 5 with Freer in hot pursuit. Freer and White overhauled Hessig, only to both wipe out and hand the lead back to Hessig. Pressed hard by White, now in second, Hessig fluffed a tack, giving White the lead and letting Freer through for second, Eddie Gatehouse followed in fourth.

The wind continued to build during the final race, White lead followed by Freer, with Gatehouse and Walbank battling for third. At the finish White crossed first followed by Freer, Gatehouse and Walbank.

Report by Andy White

1. Andy White
2. Tony Freer
3. Nigel Walbank
4. Eddie Gatehouse
5. David Aston