Volvo Noble Marine RS100 Nationals at Exe Sailing Club - Runners & Riders

RS100s at Llandegfedd © Llandegfedd SC

It's only 2 days to the RS100 Nationals being held at Exe SC from 8 to 11 September. There will be a warm welcome for everyone, as is customary in the RS100 fleet. Some great sailing is expected with a superb forecast suggesting that wind and sun are almost guaranteed. 28 are entered so far, so who is going to be fighting it out for glory?

The jostling for places will be tight throughout the fleet. With the introduction of Silver fleet prizes for the first time, there will be something for everyone to play for. A buddy system is also being implemented to ensure that the Gold fleet knowledge is shared with the Silver fleet members. We can be fairly certain that beer consumption (or whatever is your tipple) will be a key component in the knowledge sharing.

Let's check out the form of the main contenders by Club:

Gurnard SC

The club on the Island has been a hotbed of recent champions, producing the 2015 National Champion, Brett Aarons. He has not entered the 2016 Nationals, so there will be a change of champion this year. Brett has swapped the Nationals for a Worlds (Etchells in Cowes), but will be back!

Mark Harrison (The guvner) has been showing some form recently, taking the European crown at Travemunde. He has attended every event this year and will no doubt be in the reckoning. (Odds 6/1)

Lord Giles Peckham (possibly with his butler) has been consistent. He may also be 'the bronzed one', which has nothing to do with permatan, but that he has a habit of coming third in every event he has attended this year. (Odds 8/1, although his butler is 5/1)

Port Dinorwic SC (Y Felinheli for those from the principality)

A remote, but friendly part of the country on the Menai strait. They also have an ability to sail.

Alastair Dickson hasn't been seen much this year on the circuit, but made a brief appearance at Paignton and scored a set of bullets. He will be desperate to regain the National title that he held in 2014. He remains the class's youth representative, although there are rumours that he may have moved South recently due to the cold. (Odds 3/1)

Greg Booth has continued to show front of the fleet speed, picking up tips from Alastair. 2nd at the Europeans and 3rd at the Inlands. Can he reach the top step, or will another pint just slow him down? (Odds 6/1, but after the beer 25/1)

Chew Valley Lake SC

A fast growing fleet at this club on the side of the Mendips.

Andy Jones is one of the Chew new boys. 2nd at the Southerns and 3rd at Paignton, he is showing good form and learning fast. He could be a dark horse. (Odds 7/1)

Chris Goldhawk has made the step over from the Slowlo, where he was proving hard to beat. He has mastered the spinnaker quickly (possibly due to RS700 experience) and claims to be enjoying the boat. He is learning fast and gave Alistair a run for his money at Paignton, finishing 2nd. A Chew thoroughbred (Odds 4/1)

David Smart has taken much stick over the years for his wobbly blue stripe, but a damaged shoulder has meant he has been nowhere near his boat for months. Rumour has it that he is making tentative steps back into his boat. More a donkey at present. (Odds 500/1 and that's generous)

Frensham Pond SC

Buried deep in leafy Surrey, and home to some top sailing talent. It also has a couple of RS100 sailors.

Clive Eplett is a stalwart of the class and has been to most events this year, showing great consistency and always mixing it up the front end of the fleet. Always willing to pass judgement or assistance, whether helpful or not (in your correspondent's case). (Odds 25/1)

Ian Gregory has shown flashes of genius, winning the Southerns, but inconsistent. Can be blindingly fast at times if conditions suit. (Odds 10/1)

Weston SC

Buried along the shores of Southampton water, this club often produces great champions.

Steven Lee has been hounding the front of the fleet, with wins at the Sprints and the Inlands. He is strong in all conditions and his boat handling is impeccable. A true all rounder. (Odds 4/1)

Red Dwarf Bay SC (or that's what it sounds like. Alternatively Traeth Coch to the locals)

This is a beautiful sandy bay on Anglesey and home to Huw Powell. Always in the reckoning, unless the wind is light when he is trying hard to have racing abandoned. The Exe forecast should suit him. (Odds 4/1, but 1,000/1 if it goes light)

RS100 sailing on Lake Garda - photo © Paul Wyeth / www.pwpictures.com

There might be other dark horses turning up to throw the odds completely, including the local fleet from Starcross YC. Chris (blood and thunder) Cunningham can be brilliant in a blow, but won't even come out to play if it's below a Force 6.

Parkstone YC have a strong fleet, but don't seem to possess a trailer. It would be good if they could club together to send a representative or three.

Llandegfedd SC hosted a great Inlands and have a budding fleet. It would be great if they too could cut the grass from their trailers and get down to Exmouth. There could be a budding North v South Wales contest to add to the mix.

The names above are by no means the only ones capable of lifting the crown, and there is also the draw of the Silver fleet for those who are new to the fleet.

If you're not entered yet, there is still time and the fleet will give everyone a warm welcome on Thursday, or even just make a weekend of it. See you there.

Find all the event information on the RS100 Class Association website here.