RS800 Inland Championships at Rutland Sailing Club

RS800 Inlands at Rutland © Rutland Sailing Club

31 RS800 gathered at Rutland form the Inlands over the 22/23rd of October. With some of the regulars teams busy, the fleet was boosted by many new faces, all girl teams and a great forecast.

Everyone arrived to find 10-16 knots, some sunshine and 15 degrees – not bad for October. Racing was held on the standard windward leeward course, with a trip around the outer loop to finish adding something a little different. The race officer used as much of the space available, but was obviously a little surprised by the speed of an 800 with the 1st race finishing in 25 mins. 4 laps were duly posted for the rest of the weekend (although not noticed by all).

Saturday's racing was dominated by Ben Mcgrane and Roz Allen, making a welcome return to the fleet with 1,1,2. The other race was won by Nick Charles and Chris Martin who also picked up 3, 10 to be 2nd overnight. Andy Jefferies and Allyson Ody got 2 2nd but also a 14th when Allyson decided to jump overboard down the last run.

Saturday night was a quiet one by RS standards and so everyone was rearing to go on Sunday… well after the Rugby had finished. The conditions were almost identical to Sat (wind 5deg different according to the PRO!), just a little colder. Roz and Ben carried on where they left off with another 2 bullets to take the event with a race to spare. The battle for 2nd between Jefferies/Ody and Charles/Martin ended when Charles fell in trying to avoid a 100 in the final race. 1st all girls team was again taken by Frances Peters and Nicola Groves in 9th.

Thanks to Rutland for a great weekend. Last event of the year is the “Last Shout Champs” with all the other RS class back at Rutland in November.

Overall Results: