RS Elite Grand Slam Series
by Lynette Brown 5 Sep 2008 21:29 BST
At the third and final event of the new RS Elite Grand Slam series introduced by RS Racing for 2008 the E'tu team led by owner Steve Powell, Buzz Keck, Charlie Marchant and Alex Mathieson laid claim to the trophy.
Three events had made up the series; the Bailey Bowl in Dublin, Skandia Cowes Week and the RS Elite National Championships held this year at Burnham-on-Crouch.
Each of these regattas counted towards the series with the best of two events to decide the winner.
Following an excellent result in Dublin where E'tu finished third, Steve Powell then put in a storming Skandia Cowes Week performance to finish first in the fleet.
Steve let the boys loose in E'tu for the third and final event, the National Championships at Burnham-on-Crouch. Buzz Keck crewed by Charlie and Alex finished fourth at this event but the Grand Slam Series had already been decided by the previous two events.
These outstanding performances won them the first RS Elite Grand Slam series for 2008 and deservedly too, not only for some great sailing but also for being the only boat to actually travel to all three events this year.
Next year the events will again include the National Championships which move to the Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club in Cultra, Northern Ireland, Cowes Week and a third travellers event yet to be confirmed.