Volvo Noble Marine RS800 Nationals at Hayling Island SC after Day 3

Volvo Noble Marine RS800 Nationals at Hayling Island © Alex Irwin / www.sportography.tv

Volvo Noble Marine RS800 Nationals at Hayling Island © Alex Irwin / www.sportography.tv

Day 2 Report by John Mather

38 RS800s made their way out to the bay for Day 2 of the Volvo Noble Marine National Championship. After a short delay, an 8-10 knot breeze filled in from the South West allowing racing to get underway in glorious sunshine – with the fleet managing to complete their full schedule of 3 races.

The fleet got underway at the first attempt and race 1 set the scene for the rest of the day, with those who were able to get off the line cleanly and take the first shift usually arriving at the windward mark in the top group. After a snakes and ladders style first run, the fleet was very compressed at the leeward gate, but Ralph and Sophie Singleton managed to spot a shift on the left of the second beat, whilst the rest of the pack played the right hand side and created a good lead and took the first bullet of the day, followed by Rory Hunter / Nick Hollis and Luke / Emma McEwen in the third spot. Phil Walker and John Mather took 4th (not renowned for their appearances on day 2 of events) and Pete Barton / Chris Feibusch in 5th.

In race 2 the wind had increased to 10 knots, allowing most boats to get twin wiring, a brief respite for those feeling a little stiff from the previous night's merriments. A longer 3 lap race enabled the winning boats to develop a commanding lead, whilst the pack chopped and changed positions as the breeze continued to oscillate. Luke and Emma took the bullet convincingly, followed by Roger Philips / Will Crocker. After a small gap, Tim Saxton and Fiona Hampshire managed to hold off Ralph and Sophie, followed by John and Phil, to take 3rd.

After a general recall and some delay after a big left shift race 3 finally got underway under a black flag in a dying breeze. Boats starting at the starboard end were able to maximise the line bias and when the breeze went further left could bank a gain. The top 5 were able to split out from the fleet, and with the course fairly off-set for the remainder of the race, gains were hard to come by. Roger and Will won a hard fought bullet with Luke and Emma slotting in a close 2nd, Rory and Nick finding some great pace in the lighter breeze to overtake Phil and John on the second beat and take 3rd place.

Day 3 Report by Phil Walker

Thanks to the weekend entries, a larger fleet of 42 RS800s left the beach (mostly) on time and headed out to the promised 9-11 knt NE breeze. However, on arriving at the committee boat the breeze had built to a steady 15 kts+. Pete Barton and Chris Feibusch quickly settled in to the increasing breeze and nailed the first race to take a 1st, closely followed by Tim Saxton and Fiona Hampshire, and Luke and Emma McEwen in 3rd.

With the breeze still up, the fleet were keen to get off to another race, perhaps a bit too keen which resulted in a general recall and the rest of the day being sailed under a black flag. James Hughes and Toby Wincer were off to a flying start and lead the fleet round the top mark. James will be the first to confess that in his new role as a helm, he was so proud at rounding the top mark first, he forgot to race the rest of the race! Andy and Alyson took the lead on the final lap to win the race. A last ditch attempt to gain the lead by Phil Walker and John Mather (aka "the Kids" – what cheek!) didn't quite work but moved them up into second, closely followed by Pete and Chris.

Volvo Noble Marine RS800 Nationals at Hayling Island - photo © Alex Irwin / www.sportography.tv

Race three was started under a black flag, and after a general recall only caught two boats, many were seen on their hands and knees thanking whichever God they follow. After a restart, Luke and Emma were back to form and lead all the way round the course, closely followed by Andy and Allyson. Shout out must go to Tim Saxton and Fiona Hampshire for the most spectacular pitchpole on the first downwind.

The final race got underway in a dying breeze, but with the leftover sloppy chop made it a very tricky race course. Surprise surprise, Luke and Emma nailed it, followed by Phil and John and Tim and Fiona keen to show they can keep the boat upright in 8-10kts came in third!

I'm not sure who won the race home, I was knackered so gave my boat to one of the 29er guys and drove the RIB in!

RS800 Grandstand Finish Race

After four strong races the sturdy RS800 fleet raced home to finish in a colourful blaze at the HISC club line.

Congratulations to Andy and Allyson Jeffries for first place. Gilles Peeters and Hermine Maween came second. Peter Barton and Chris Feibusch came third.

Thank you Harriet from the HISC Chandlery for kindly donating the big bottle of champagne prize to the winning boat.

RS800 Crew's Union Challenge Coin

Today the RS800 Crew's Union Challenge Coin was launched by Chair Chris Feibusch. The super coin has the RS800 logo on one side and a smashing image of an RS800 by Emma McEwen on the reverse. Every crew who has earned 1st to 6th place at a National Championship since 2001 is eligible for the coin. Today the coins were proudly issued to: Allyson Jeffries, Chris Feibusch, Fiona Hampshire, James Hughes, John Mather, Nikki Griffin, Toby Wincer and Will Crocker. Congratulations. Carry your coins with pride because if you get caught out by another member of the Crews' Union the round is on you! Please contact clare@rs-association.com if you think you are eligible.

Results after Day 3: