RS800 Nationals at Exe Sailing Club - Overall

RS800 nationals at Exe day 4 © Mike Rice / www.fotoboat.com

RS800 nationals at Exe day 4 © Mike Rice / www.fotoboat.com

The final day of the championships dawned with the championship already in the bag for Ben McGrane and Roz Allen. They decided to race anyway as the quality of racing is superb. The racing of the day was for second place with six boats in the hunt. With 14knots of breeze from the south and a choppy sea state the final two races were probably the best of the championship.

Race 8

After a couple of general recalls and a couple of black flags the race was under way. With a consistent pressure across the course it was a drag race to the windward mark. James Date and Toby Wincer nailed the pin end start and won the race to the windward mark. Closely followed by about ten boats in close proximity with all the second place candidates in the mix. With multiple place changes going on for the first couple of laps. Ben and Roz once again pulled through to the front to win their seventh race of the week. Peter Barton and Olivier Vidal claimed second, and with Stevi Wilson and Adam Broughton third. Charlie Roome and Dave Steed’s second overall hopes were handed a big blow with a pitch pole down the last run.

Race 9

Was yet another tight and exciting race. James and Toby yet again led at the windward mark but with this time with a larger lead. Neil Baker and James Hughes were second until a capsize down the second the run put pay to their chances of a top seven place overall. Stevi and Adam took over second place with a gaggle of seven boats trying to take third place. James and Toby looked comfortable to take the victory until they dropped their spinnaker into the water at the final leeward mark which allowed Stevi and Adam to gybe inside them and take their second race win of the week. James and Toby recovered to take second. With Nick Charles and Chris Martin impressively took third ahead of Ben and Roz.

Overall it was a fantastic championships with Phil Morrison doing a great job as race officer, and the galley girls making yummy cakes. Obviously Ben and Roz took the championship, with Stevi and Adam in second. Peter and Olivier completed the podium in third.

The classes next event is the Inland Championships at Queen Mary Sailing Club on the 23/24th October.

Overall Results: