Crewsaver RS Feva End of Season Championships at Datchet Water

Crewsaver RS Feva End of Season Championships at Datchet Water © Peter Newton

Crewsaver RS Feva End of Season Championships at Datchet Water © Peter Newton

The Crewsaver RS Feva End of Season Championships proved a fitting end to the 2013 race season. 33 boats from across the country arrived at Datchet Water Sailing Club to rig in heavy rain & watch patchy, fickle wind on the reservoir.

With 7 RS fleets joining together & a total entry of over 130 boats it was just as well that racing was postponed as this allowed the sailors time for 'bacon butties' & lots of chat. Volvo had brought a selection of display cars which parents were able to view & the ear warmer entry gifts were very well received by those who forgot their hats ! The skies eventually cleared & the fleets launched for a 2 pm start.

The Feva's were sharing the course with the RS300's who had a windward mark laid further upwind & a wing mark for a triangle/sausage course. The first race got away in 4 knots but quickly disappeared from the right side of the course whilst those on the left held the breeze & lifted on port to look very 'smiley' indeed. Sensibly the race was shortened after one lap as the wind had swung so far left. Line honours went to Jack & Rebecca Lewis; 2nd Jessie Main & Poppy Gilks; 3rd Billy Vennis-Ozanne & Orla Mitchell.

As a rain cloud arrived from behind Windsor Castle the wind swung further right so the committee boat pulled up anchor & headed off to reset the course.

Race 2 got away all clear with a fair line & a good even first beat. Arthur Brown & Niamh Davies showed the way & kept extending their lead upwind but on the 2nd lap it was Harvey Martin & Bobby Hewitt who flew down the final run to gain the inside lane at the final mark & take the win; 2nd Arthur & Niamh; 3rd Bradley Duffy & Bella Cox.

Day two dawned cold, sunny but with a good 10 – 15 knots of breeze. Bernard Visser & Charles Cox from Oakham School nailed the start but very soon it was Arthur & Niamh in the lead again. At the leeward mark it was George Tardrew & Sam Lythgoe in 2nd; 3rd Billy & Orla. Arthur & Niamh held on to win; 2nd Billy & Orla; 3rd Jack & Rebecca.

Crewsaver RS Feva End of Season Championships at Datchet Water - photo © Peter Newton

The 2nd race of the day got away all clear with the wind still 15 knots. Leading at the leeward mark was Harvey & Bobby; 2nd Harry Barker & Josh Beck; 3rd Arthur & Niamh who then proceeded to fall out as they sheeted in to head off upwind ! The race was won by Harvey & Bobby; 2nd James Hammett & Ben Todd; 3rd Harry & Josh.

The wind dropped to 8-10 knots for the 3rd race when Jess Jobson & Grace Gadd sheeted in too soon but came back to start correctly. Arthur & Niamh lead again followed by Harvey & Bobby; 3rd Harry & Josh. Arthur & Niamh took to covering Harvey & Bobby upwind so as to ensure them another well deserved win. 2nd Harvey & Bobby; 3rd James & Ben.

The final race got away all clear. Extremely close racing between the top two boats & at the leeward mark Arthur & Niamh rounded simultaneously with Harvey & Bobby but kept their nose in front to win the final race & take the EOS Champs title. 2nd Harvey & Bobby; 3rd Jack & Rebecca.

Excellent racing well run by a great race team thank you Datchet Water SC & thanks to Crewsaver for the prizes.

Overall Results: