Fat Face RS600 Open at 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.

Overall Results: