Volvo Noble Marine RS500 Nationals at the WPNSA - Days 1 & 2

So after 60 minutes training and the first for me crewing ever, we decided to join the intrepid RS500 fleet at the Volvo Noble Marine RS500 Nationals down in glorious Weymouth.

With Arky in 'charge' of the race course and a forecast for force 5, a baptism of fire or a match made in heaven?

Day 1

Force 5 out into the bay to avoid the millions of Fevas (100+) practising in the harbour, with the wind blowing off the bill and the threat of race on the way heralded the first race.

Race 1 - With 13 of us competing, racing started cleanly. As we were on the outer loop it was all of a gamble who could hoist and hold it in the reach and then semi wiring across to the layline. The great thing in our boat was 15 seconds before the start, the mainsheet slider made a bid for the stern, spicing up the tacking process as Jane had to duck the loops of mainsheet draping under the boom. Barton/Chipperfield, pointing like a demon arrived at the top mark, hoisted early and retained his lead, with Whitehead/Mairs chasing followed by Holden/Keene. (newbees into the fleet having unwrapped their new RS500 the day before as part of the charter process supplied by RS. Arky, always wanting to keep us on our toes, provided a screaming, 2 sail ragging, planning on the gunnels, reach for the finish.

Race 2 - With the breeze freshening at the cloud approached from the bill, suddenly saw a race where we could actually trapeze downwind and yep the 500 started to kick off her heels and show her performance status. Having survived race 1 initiation process, we realise that there were actually shifts but it proved to be Jack (I've just been to the gym) Holden and Richard Keene who took the lead and lead the procession from the top mark. Barton/ Chipperfield, followed up with Wilkins/Tucket just behind. And yes the screaming reach to the finish kept everyone awake.

Race 3 - after a freezing wait for the 100s to finish, we kicked off into the last race of the day. Bristow/Covell, picked their way through the shifts to take the lead with Barton/ Chipperfield following and Wilkins/Tucket just behind. And then the agonising beat back to WPNSA. The only the thing that kept me going was the knowledge that it was worse for the 100s (sorry chaps).

Day 2

Race 4 - The cloud had cleared, wind 15-20kts (Arky still race officer) we headed off for the bottom end of the harbour for the glamour sailing conditions of the weekend.

Heading off the start line for looking for the famous wind bend of Portland bill, saw Holden/Keane, grabbing the front position. Today was still a day of shift with big gust powering down the course, turning heros to zeros and people found the gaps. Whitehead/Mairs ducked in behind with Highfield x 2 following.

Race 5 - Still with big shifts coming down the track, Arky stood by his decision and kept all of the buoys in place, allowing the left hand shift to kick in as the fleet treke up to the top mark. Whitehead/Mairs lead the charge down wind with Olive x 2 just behind at the top mark but eager to practice trawling practice dipped out of the front runners.

They went on to win, followed by Holden/Keene and Britsow/Covell.

The bad news was that Barton/Chipperfield, broke a centreboard but with a fast rib and quick helm, they were able to get back for the last race of the day.

Race 6 - We all got with another clean start and a swift turn around and Barton/Chipperfield lead out of the blocks (hallo, left hand side of the course) and up to the topmark with the Olive x 2 close on their heels. And then came the gust gamble early gybe that allowed the Olives to sneak through with a monster, gust from the right hand side of the course. With the left still paying, the fleet (except Holden/Mairs, desperate to prove Jim Saltonstall's wind book wrong) followed chasing the Olives who slowly pulled out the lead to win the bullet and despite a tussle on the last mark, Barton/Chipperfield maintained their advantage to stay ahead of Bristow/Covell.

Then the sunny beat back to WPNSA, abusing Arky and getting stuck into the pasta snack. Sailing doesn't get better than this. Now off the chandlery to buy some new arms!

Results after Day 2: