RS400 Rope4Boats Northern Tour at the Filey Regatta

RS400s at the Filey Regatta © Roger Nunn

Five boats headed to Filey to experience the wonderful hospitality and race management provided by this small but very well equipped sailing club.

Saturday

The first race of three on day one saw a start in 10 knot northerly with Paul Ridgway and David Elmslie getting to the weather mark first. It wasn't long before Chris Pickles and Mark Lunn worked their way up from fourth at the top mark to first by the bottom mark. The places all changed again on the next windward leg but by the time they had been around four times Chris and Mark crossed the line first, followed by Jacob Ainsworth and Kayleigh Roberts and then Paul and David.

RS400s at the Filey Regatta - photo © Roger Nunn

Race two saw everyone together at the windward mark the first time round (Matt followed by Jacob, Paul Chris and Jon & Ryan Willars). Paul and David lead for a lot of the race but were beaten in the end by Chris and Mark (actually they were beaten by everyone as they found they were OCS when they got back to shore!). Final results Chris and Mark first, Jacob and Kayleigh second and Matt and Tim third.

Race three, the last of the day was held in a dying wind and a tide that was starting to rip. After lots of pushing over the line at the start, the fleet then overlaid the top mark. Chris and Mark were lucky that the wind kept fading as they found that their top rudder pintle had sheared off. Not to be daunted, they tied it back together to complete their domination of the regatta with another win for the day. Second place went to Jacob and Kayleigh and third place to Paul and David.

Sunday

After being held on shore for an hour and a half in the beautiful sunshine racing eventually started two hours late with two races sailed in a 3 to 5 knot gentle northerly.

RS400s at the Filey Regatta - photo © Roger Nunn

Race one saw Chris and Mark get the best start, crossing tacks with the others up the windward leg. Paul and David got to the top mark first with Chris and Mark second and Jacob and Kayleigh third. Chris and Mark took the lead on the run and after two laps the result was Chris and Mark first, Paul and David second and Jacob and Kayleigh third. This was enough to give Chris and Mark the regatta so they packed up and went home before the rush.

In the second and final race there were only two boats left to battle it out for the final placings. After winning the start Paul and David stayed in front and went on to win from Jacob and Kayleigh. This gave Jacob and Kayleigh 2nd overall with Paul and David taking 3rd overall.

RS400s at the Filey Regatta - photo © Roger Nunn

It was Chris Pickles' lucky day as he also won the raffle took home the Rope4Boats £20 voucher with Paul Ridgway winning the £10 voucher.

Thanks to the wonderful crew at Filey Sailing Club for putting on such a friendly and welcoming regatta. We look forward to racing here again.

More photos by Roger Nunn can be found on flickr here.

The Tour moves on to the penultimate event: The Lord Birkett at Ullswater in the beautiful Lake District on 7th and 8th July. With 36 400's already entered and the overall entry limit almost exceeded, it looks like it's going to be a cracker.

Overall Results: