RS200 Northern Tour at Leigh & Lowton Sailing Club

RS200 Northern Tour at Leigh & Lowton © Ben Unwin / www.benunwinphotography.co.uk

RS200 Northern Tour at Leigh & Lowton © Ben Unwin / www.benunwinphotography.co.uk

RS200 Northern Tour at Leigh & Lowton © Ben Unwin / www.benunwinphotography.co.uk

A small but select group of 11 boats consisting of 7.5 visitors and 3.5 locals contested the first event of the 2015 RS200 Northern Tour, at Leigh and Lowton SC, on Saturday 21st March 2015.

The event was run alongside the RS400 Winter Championships which were being held over the full weekend, with the RS200s having sole occupancy of the lake for the 1st race and sharing the course with the RS400s for the remaining 3 races of the day.

With the wind fluctuating through about 45 degrees between the north and the north east it was always going to be a difficult day for the race officer who made a good call to postpone the first start with around 1 minute to go, in order to reset the course. The fleet got away at the 2nd attempt in a 5-6 knots breeze with a couple of boats having to return for being OCS.

Graeme/Sian were quickest out of the blocks and led at the windward mark closely followed by Martin/Barbara. Significant place changes on each leg ensued for the rest of the fleet as those that managed to avoid the holes and dying breeze, or get the right side of some significant shifts made some serious gains. Graeme/Sian and Martin/Barbara built up a healthy lead, with Martin/Barbara breaking through on the final lap to take the win. Louise/Kathy sailed well to climb through the fleet to take 3rd from John/Wendy in a steady 4th. One boat that shall remain nameless lacked their usual speed and were seen heading back to shore between races to empty the boat having left the bung out!!

The RS400 fleet joined for the 2nd race with the prevailing wind forcing a relatively short course. The wind had increased slightly to around 8 knots by this stage, and by the time the RS200s got away the lead RS400 was around the track and upon them. Things got a bit hairy at the windward mark as the 21 RS400s and 11 RS200s arrived together.

Graeme/Sian were quickest out the blocks again with the rest of the fleet in pursuit. By the leeward mark Phil/Naomi had pulled through into the lead, only to be overtaken upwind by Graeme/Sian and Russell/Vicky, the former sailing off into a seemingly unassailable lead and the latter a comfortable 2nd. Behind the front 3 the usual battle was ensuing with race 1 winners Martin/Barbara leading the charge from Gareth/Jen.

With the RS400s finishing after completing the 6 laps set, the lead RS200 of Graeme/Sian assumed they too had finished and headed for shore followed by Russell/Vicky. Phil/Naomi continued on to sail the full 6 laps and take the win, with Russell/Vicky and Graeme/Sian returning to the course - Martin/Barbara piping Russell/Vicky for 2nd place and Graeme/Sian recovering to 4th.

The fleets then went in for lunch and during that time the Race Officer issued an amendment to the SI's, bringing in a shorter start sequence. This proved successful and the afternoon's racing then proceeded without any further tangles between the fleets. The wind also decided to swing around towards the east slightly so that the length of the course increased, bringing a bigger margin between the fleets.

Races 3 and 4 were held in shifty winds ranging from 2-3 knots up to around 12 knots, the stronger breeze being very welcome and allowing the chance to stretch the legs upwind. Race 3 got away cleanly and Louise/Kathy stormed off into the lead round the windward mark. Whilst the first handful of boats set off downwind, those that trailed benefitted from gybing off early and heading left, as the wind slowly died off down the right hand side.

By the leeward mark 2014 Northern Tour series winners Keith/Andrea had rediscovered their speed and form to take the lead. Keith/Andrea lead for the next lap or two, before Phil/Naomi sneaked past and held them off for the remainder of the race to take their 2nd win of the day. Graeme/Sian were never far behind but Martin/Barbara managed to pip them to take their 3rd podium finish of the day.

Race 4 started in around 8 knots of breeze, but with the variable direction and fluctuating pressure, picking (or maybe guessing) the right way was challenging for all. Phil/Naomi led round the windward mark and held off a strong challenge from Graeme/Sian to take the race win and the series. Russell/Vicky led home the rest of the pack with Martin/Barbara continuing their consistent form completing the top 4.

Big thanks must go to Leigh and Lowton sailing club for hosting the event and the Race Officer and his team for all their efforts in resetting courses etc, which were appreciated.

Next event on the RS200 Northern Tour is Delph on 11th April.

Overall Results:

RS200 Northern Tour at Leigh & Lowton - photo © Ben Unwin / www.benunwinphotography.co.uk