Bollé RS300 Grand Prix at Sheffield Viking Sailing Club

RS300s at Sheffield Viking © Nick Bush

RS300s at Sheffield Viking © Nick Bush

Sheffield Viking SC hosted the second round of the Bollé sponsored RS300 Grand Prix event on the 18th – 19th May. Visitors came from far and wide to join 3 home boats for some great sailing in cracking conditions.

A slightly dodgy forecast for Sunday prompted the race officer to go for 4 races on the Saturday, with a perfect force 2-4 blowing straight down the length of the dam.

Bish had a great 1st beat in race 1 and held on for the win. Behind, the Viking boats of Keen and Jenkins had a close battle with Jenkins eventually edging ahead on the last lap. High on adrenaline, Bish got overexcited on the 2nd start and had to be called back leaving Jenkins to take the win from Keen. Sparky (Mark Newton) showed some serious pace in his A-rig to take 3rd after a very competitive and closely fought race throughout the fleet.

After a well earned cup of tea, the fleet headed back out for 2 more back to back races. Sparky was the 1st casualty, with rudder failure forcing him to pull out before the start. Jenkins lead for most of the race, only to fluff a close cover tack on the last beat, with Bish capitalising to take the bullet. Wood finally got his act together, sailing very well to take 3rd from Keen. Race 4 and a second rudder failure, this time for Bish whilst leading the 1st lap. Jenkins moved up the queue and this time made no mistakes on the final beat match race tackathon to hold off Keen. Wood continued his good form with another 3rd.

Sparky demonstrated his boat building skills to piece his rudder back together for Sunday, arriving just in time having spent too long admiring the view over the Pennines. A slightly better than forecast N/ NW force 1-2 made for some challenging conditions as the fleet headed out for races 5&6. Bish bowed out on Sunday to rest his aching joints (and earn some money) to leave Keen and Jenkins to battle it out for the event. Jenkins managed to win Race 5 to secure the event with Keen finally winning the 6th race and 2nd overall after ordering is own private supply of wind. Wood struggled to master the conditions, whilst Henman and Sparky had an epic A-rig battle, swapping 3rd and 4th in both races. Wood finished a respectable 3rd overall, with the rest of the fleet all tied on 21 points had to separated on count back.

A great weekend's sailing was had by all with Viking once again providing great hospitality and bacon sandwiches (thanks to Tim's dad).

Overall Results: