Volvo RS800 End of Season Championship at Datchet Water Sailing Club

RS800s at Datchet Water in 2014 © LPB Aerial Imagery

Volvo RS End of Season Championships 2014 © LPB Aerial Imagery

For the last weekend fixture of the year, the RS800s were greeted by a grey and blustery Datchet. Low water levels combined with the high winds and two race courses led to a bit of a squeeze in terms of space. Dealing with the massive gusts, huge wind shifts and minefields of slower classes was the key to success on the Saturday.

Race 1 saw Hugh & Hannah ping it off the pin to reach the windward mark with a good lead over Phil & John and James & Toby. However, as the race progressed, it was Tim & Sam who put the pedal down and missioned their way to the front. Tim & Sam took the win after James & Toby's challenge evaporated with a bit of a boat handling nightmare at the final gate. 2nd went to Roger & Will with Hugh & Hannah in 3rd.

Race 2 saw a front pack of four contend for the lead. By the finale Tim & Sam once again took the bullet with impressive speed and cornering. Second went to Laurie and Dan, with the McEwens in third.

The last race of the day saw an excellent first beat from Steven Greaves and Caroline Edwards who led round the windward mark closely followed by Hugh and Hannah. By lap 3 it was James & Toby and Tim & Sam battling at the front. On the last beat Hugh & Hannah took a bit of a gamble and banged the opposite side of the course, gaining about 150 metres on the leaders in the process to lead at the top mark for the final time. Their good fortune was slightly balanced out by a poor last downwind letting James and Toby through for the bullet.

Sunday dawned millpond-esque with mist hanging over the lake. The forecasts were less optimistic than the race officer who set forth towards the racecourse with much more gusto than the bewildered competitors who were ready to pack boats up.

So began a drifting exercise as we waited for wind. This led to a number of casualties who aborted having lost all hope. Racing eventually kicked off and top marks must go to Tim and Sam who ditched both a Jesters induced hangover nap and a steaming bowl of chips to make the start just in time. However, it was Ralph & Sophie who did a port flyer on the fleet to lead all the way to the finish...a lap early. Luckily for them, most of the fleet only fancied doing two laps as well. This was apart from the McEwens who were the only boat to head around the cans for the third time. Due to everyone being generally very confused due to finishing hooters for the two lappers, an act of diplomacy followed with the McEwens being given the win followed by the two lappers in the original order.

This tightened things up heading into the final race. Ralph & Sophie once again disappeared followed by the McEwens with Hugh & Hannah in 3rd. 4th place for Jesters' number one fan (Tim) and Sam was enough to secure the title after a stellar performance on Saturday. 2nd overall went to the McEwens with James & Toby and Hugh & Hannah tied for 3rd. The tight point scenario sums up the whole season which has seen fierce competition throughout the whole Grand Prix. In terms of final standings in the Grand Prix, James & Toby took the win followed by Tim & Sam in 2nd and Hugh & Hannah in 3rd.

Special thanks must go towards Clare who helped turn carnage into controlled chaos. We must also pay our respects to two teams who have until the 2014 EOS graced many an RS800 podium and dance floor but are sadly moving on. For me, both James & Toby and Laurie & Dan have contributed a lot to the fleet in terms of top-notch sailing and laughs - so hurry up and change your minds!

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 who was competing at the event in the RS200 class.

Overall Results: