Volvo RS400 End of Season Championship at Datchet Water Sailing Club

Volvo RS End of Season Championships 2014 © LPB Aerial Imagery

Volvo RS End of Season Championships 2014 © LPB Aerial Imagery

18 RS400s arrived at Datchet Water Sailing Club on Saturday morning for the conclusion of the Championship and Southern tours. They were met with an overcast, windy but dry reservoir and 3 races planned on both days.

The first race got underway with the gusty breeze around 20 knots. Nick Craig, sailing with Toby Lewis, and James Downer with Jon Price, both started towards the pin and lead the fleet away. They match raced for the lead throughout the race with Nick and Toby looking good on the last run; only for confusion about the location of the last mark before the finish to allow James and Jon through for the win. Paul and Mark Oakey managed to sneak past Jon Heissig and Nicky Griffin for 3rd, while both boats were searching for the final mark.

The breeze built slightly for the second race with a close battle throughout between Craig/Lewis, Downer/ Price and the Oakeys. With all still to play for on the final run Nick and Toby won in a photo finish with the Oakeys. Downer/ Price were caught out in a big gust gybing at the gate and capsized to let team Heissig/Griffin complete a fantastic recovery from a poor start and claim 3rd.

For the third race the breeze started dropping, making for slightly less frantic sailing. Nick and Toby recorded another win with James Downer and Jon Price in 2nd and the Oakeys completing a solid day in 3rd.

Sunday morning dawned, in stark contrast to the 29 knot gusts of the first day, with glassy calm waters. After an hour's delay on the shore the sun came out and a few zephyrs of breeze started to appear. The fleet launched and had a small wait while the wind settled before the super slick DWSC race crew squeezed 2 races in.

The first race was won comfortably, in fickle conditions, by Howard Farbrother and Louise Hosken. Nick and Toby were 2nd with the Oakeys recovering from being over at the start to finish 3rd.

Howard and Louise were again flying in the final race but Nick and Toby just got the better of them to take the win. Roger Bennett and Lesley Sarjantson, sailed a fantastic race in the light conditions to finish 3rd.

Overall Nick Craig and Toby Lewis took the title. Paul and Mark Oakey were 2nd with Howard Farbrother and David Rued/ Louise Hosken in 3rd.

Thank you to DWSC for running a fantastic weekend's sailing and for being very slick getting so many fleets away. Thank you also to Volvo for sponsoring the event. As part of its support of RS Sailing and the RS Class Associations, Volvo Car UK had a strong presence at the End of Seasons, putting on a variety of shore side activities, including a colouring competition, remote controlled cars and the Sail for Gold Game. Team Volvo sailor and London 2012 silver medallist Luke Patience competed at the event in the RS200 class.

Photos by Jonathan and Beverley at © LPB Aerial Imagery, www.lpbaerial.com. DWSC member Tristan Beckett took photos of both days which you can see in two separate albums, one per day at: www.tristanbeckettphotography.co.uk. The photos are for sale.

Overall Results: