RS 600s and 700s

Reports and results from the weekend's open meetings

Andy Irons reports on the RS700 Fat Face Racing Circuit event at QMSC, 17-18 April 2004

Round 3 of the Fat-face sponsored circuit took place in everything from sun to heavy rain, calm to F5. Andy White came away comfortable winner but the race for 2nd overall went right down to the wire.

Saturday's conditions proved testing for those new to the boat or rusty from the winter lay-up and so boat handling proved to be the biggest issue to get right. Andy White showed the fleet a clean pair of heels in the day’s three races but had to fight to win race 1 from Irons after a last minute dunk. As the day went on the wind increased so race 3 saw the fleet charging around in a blustery F5.

Sunday saw a wet F4. Race 4 saw Freer get clear but it was never really far enough to feel safe. On the penultimate lap the wind died to ghosting conditions and it was Irons & White who had sailed furthest left who picked up the new breeze first and passed Freer.
Race 5 was held in light, wet conditions with Rous, Irons & White ahead of the rest. White found the front but by the finish it was these 3 who all finished quite closely. The race for 2nd place overall was still quite wide open, Albrecht, Rous, Irons and Freer could all have still get the runners-up slot so race 6 was crucial. Rous timed his starting run well and picked to the first mark led nicely from Freer and Irons, leading until an unforced gybing error put him in. Freer and Irons passed to finish 1st and 2nd while a quickly recovering Rous got 3rd from Albrecht.

There were several new faces at QMSC who were sailing the boat very well.
David Cummins from the home fleet stands out as someone to watch this year. Also well done to Peter Halliwell, our senior member of the fleet who sailed extremely well.

		total	1	2	3	4	5	6
1	Andy White	6	1	1	1	2	1	15
2	Andy Irons	13	2	7	5	1	3	2
3	Tony Freer	15	4	2	15	3	5	1
4	Leigh Albrecht	17	3	4	2	5	4	4
5	Richard Rous	18	8	3	6	4	2	3
6	Eddie Gatehouse	29	5	15	3	9	7	5
7	Chris Kirk	30	6	6	4	6	9	8
8	Mark Pollington	40	15	9	8	10	6	7
9	David Cummins	42	7	5	15	7	8	15
10	Buzz Keck	54	15	15	15	8	10	6
11	Peter Halliwell	52	9	15	7	15	11	10
12	Chris Fry	66	15	15	15	15	12	9
13	Paul Halliwell	68	15	8	15	15	15	15
14	Dan Azzopardi	75	15	15	15	15	15	15

Dave Nunn reportds on RS 600 Open 17th / 18th April 2004 Thames Estuary Yacht Club, Southend

Thames Estuary Yacht club hosted the 3rd Fat Face Circuit event for 2004 with a warm welcome to all competitors on a sunny Saturday morning with the smell of Sausages cooking on the barbeque and plenty of beach crew support from the club cadets.

With near perfect conditions of a Force 3 race 1 got underway with Dave Nunn taking the lead at the start closely followed by Paul Molesworth. Dave went on to win the race with Paul closely following in 2nd.

Race 2 started with Ali Wyatt taking the lead closely followed by Paul. Paul and Ali continued to change places throughout the race only to sail into a hole on the last lap allowing Dave to overtake and go on to win the race.

Race 3 started with Paul taking an early lead and going on to win followed by Matt Conner in 2nd place. Dave finding gear failure was unable to start the race, leaving Paul to be overnight leader.

The club excelled with a BBQ on the jetty to meet all the returning competitors and the evening social at the club was a huge success with a curry night and real ale laid on. In true 600 style we were first at the bar and last to leave.

Day 2 started with force 6 gusting 7 cold and wet. The club again excelled with hot breakfasts on the jetty and a second to none willing beach crew from the cadets.

After much deliberation race 4 got underway with all boats going out with small (kiddie) rig. Dave and Ali got good starts closely followed by Matt. However Matt had the better up wind speed and was first to the windward mark only to capsize and be overtaken by Dave. Dave went onto capsize further down the reach only to snap his dagger board while trying to right the boat. With all the boats capsized at various places on the course the rescue cover had its work cut out. The race committee shortened course after 2 laps and abandoned races 5 and 6. As the only boat to complete both laps Paul limped to the finish and took overall winner of the event.

Thanks must go to the race committee and club member and cadets for a well run event with lots of on shore support.

		R1	R2	R3	R4
1	Paul Molesworth	2	2	1	1
2	Dave Nunn	1	1	DNC	DNF
3	Matt Conner	3	4	2	DNF
4	Ali Wyatt	4	3	DNF	DNF
5	Damon Bower	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNF