Gul RS800 Nationals at Tenby Sailing Club - Overall

Great racing at the Gul RS800 National Championships © Mike Rice / www.fotoboat.com

No racing today. The fleet was sent out on time with a more offshore wind providing some shelter. However on reaching the leeward start area it clear that at that end of the course it was going to be very messy and the PRO was quick to abandon for the day and send the fleet scurrying home.

Ex-chairman Ben Schooling proclaimed “It increased as we sailed out to become fully feisty. We were trying to get down to the start and flipped a 2 sail pitch pole. It wasn’t going to be sensible and the PRO made a good call.”

So when the music stopped the overnight leaders, Laurie Fitzjohn-Sykes & Dan Allin, became very worthy National Champions going one better than their 2nd in 2007. They had the best act in the conditions on the day. Their boat is 9 years old which is a good testament to the longevity of the build and evidence that the one design concept has been successfully protected during the recent changes in mast manufacture and deck layout.

Laurie made special mention in his speech to thank super crew Dan and his kite trimming ‘guns’, together with thanking his competitors for swimming more than them! Laurie and Dan have sailed together for some time now having won the 420 Youth Nationals together and Dan is also a past Cadet champion helm.

Teams Wilson, Deal and Jefferies will be left mulling over their ‘what ifs?’ What if King Neptune hadn’t thrown up that nasty wall of water right in front of their bows? It was a short series and a couple less capsizes would have made some difference. But that is the game when high performance racing in high winds and wobbly water - ask the Beijing medal racers. Laurie & Dan nailed it convincingly.

Stevie Wilson & Jamie Stewart ‘Synthesize’ claimed 2 race wins to be runners up for a second year running. Day one leaders Justin Deal & Ollie Page slipped to 3rd. 4th, 5th and 6th places were all achieved with a comeback in Big Monday’s conditions. Justin & Ryan Visser took 4th, Ben Schooling & George Kingsnorth 5th and Ross McKerchar & Phil Lasko 6th.

First Youth boat and first lady were Tim Saxton & Nicola Groves ‘Zhik’ in 9th , definitely ones to watch for next season. Spod Olive was first master in 7th. The Silver fleet was won by Ed Whitehead & Karen Baker in 9th.

Duckhams prize for gross under achievement:
Day3 – Spod Olive for excessive pitch poling and having to re-hoist his main to reach the beach.

Overall Results: