RS Games 2018 at the WPNSA: RS100 European Championship Overall

RS100 Europeans prizegiving at the RS Games 2018 © Alex & David Irwin / www.sportography.tv

RS100 Europeans prizegiving at the RS Games 2018 © Alex & David Irwin / www.sportography.tv

Day Three

Never wave a red rag to a bull, or so the story goes. Well, it appears a similar effect can be gained by taking a blue rag (or racing bib in this case) away from one, and it appears to be true that once a bull starts charging, it takes a lot to stop it!

That seemed to be the reaction from Huw (the bull) Powell as he charged to four straight wins after Steven Lee knocked him off the podium (and took his blue bib off him) in the previous days racing. The 15 knots of steady-ish breeze and a left paying race course played into his favour as he remained untouchable out in front of the fleet and used his heavy wind expertise (and physique) to full effect.

Elsewhere, the usual snakes and ladders style racing which the RS100 fleet is known for was in full effect and although tired, all sailors returned to shore with a full quiver of near misses, close calls and "if only"s.

Race one and Huw (the bull) Powell charged off to the left of the race course and pulled out in front where he remained for the rest of the race. Laylines just didn't seem to make a difference as Portland Bill did it's normal trick of making one side of the course very favoured, so much so it didn't matter if you touched it and ran up it on your way into the windward mark. Al Dickson managed to get in front of the chasing pack and hold off Steven Lee and Brett Aarons who were all fighting it out for the top spot, oblivious to the fact that 'the Bull' was only just starting his charge and it was he that needed covering.

Other than the front runners and heavy wind experts, a shout out must go to the light wind expert and Cowes Week winner, Giles Peckham, who found himself up near the front, obviously lost and looking for his lost tacktick compass or perhaps realising that he was better not being distracted by it and he didn't need that tactician, mastman and bow after all!

Race two seemed to catch a few people out as those of the committee boat end of the start line seemed to be doing best and even came across on a right hand shift! Soon enough however, those on the left were back in contention and the usual people got into the front battling for second behind the untouchable Huw. They were also joined with some with some other less familiar faces including Giles who was again meddling with the normal status quo, but also some who are relatively new to the class including Nick Heather, who has been looking more and more dangerous as the week goes on. Al pipped Brett to the line in second with Steven Lee following close behind in fourth. Greg Booth was clearly enjoying the conditions and lead Nick through in fifth and sixth respectively.

Race three seemed to be almost identical to race two or perhaps it was the fact that our legs were now hurting so much or we''d had so much Ibuprofen that our memory was getting blurry! Nevertheless, one thing was certain and that was Huw was going to lead from start to finish and the race was one again on for second. The return of the "young gun" Robert Richardson, clearly younger and fitter than the rest of us, ruffled some feathers in the chasing pack as he took a third behind Al in second and in front of Brett in fourth. By this stage the fleet were all regretting endorsing the bright idea of going for four races and some just couldn't resist carrying on home once reaching the windward mark!

If race three was a blur, race four was a mystery but the results suggest a similar story to race three. Steven Lee did a great job of holding off Robert, who was just getting into the swing of things, and get through in third just behind Al in second. Brett was next, ahead of Nick Heather in sixth and Greg Booth in seventh. Simon Geyman had a great race to finish eighth ahead of Robert''s father, John, obviously trying to keep an eye on the overly-excited Robert, who came through in ninth.

All in all, it was a marathon day for the RS100 fleet who did very well to finish four races in testing conditions. Al Dickson moves up the leaderboard to take first just ahead of Huw 'the Bull' Powell who is revelling in the windier conditions. Steven and Brett are tied on points in third and fourth, ahead of Robert Richardson whose good day has seen him move up to fifth.

Day Four

After seeing a few dogs and their chains blowing across the boatpark, the PRO took the wise decision to postpone the start of days four's racing and ensure all RS fleets could cycle through the harbour one after the other. With the breeze strengthening and long journeys ahead, some voted with their feet and the boat park started to turn red with under covers and masts were rapidly falling to the floor. All but one that was!

Steven Lee, class assoc rep, was clearly chomping at the bit to get out and redo his previous day's efforts at beating Brett off the podium. Finally, Greg Booth dragged a kicking and screaming Steven to the PRO and the decision was made! No final day of racing and Al claims his hat-trick, Huw charges to second and Brett third, tied on points with Steven in fourth. Dan Craft gets the best improver prize and Robert Richardson the (proper) youth prize.

A great three days' of racing in a variety of conditions. A noticeable surge in the performance of the middle of the fleet means the racing is only ever going to get better so now is the time to join us! You won't regret it!

Big thumbs up to Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy for hosting us so splendidly both on and off the water: the RS100 experience of the RS Games has been great racing afloat and smashing fun and hospitality ashore. Many thanks to our sponsors RS Sailing, Volvo, Noble Marine, Rooster, Hyde Sails, Yachts and Yachting, Zest and Harken.

RS100 Europeans prizegiving at the RS Games 2018 - photo © Alex & David Irwin / www.sportography.tv

RS100 European and UK National Championship Prize Winners:

• Improvers prize of a spinnaker kindly donated by Hyde Sails: Daniel Craft from Netley SC
• Endeavour Trophy: Cindy Donnecke-Herz from Germany
• Fidelis Trophy: Greg Booth from Port Dinorwic SC
• 1st Youth: Robert Richardson from Royal Windermere YC
• 1st Lady: Jo Musson from Saundersfoot and Tenby SCs
• 1st Silver: Nick Heather from Royal Windermere YC
• 1st Master: Huw Powell from Red Wharf Bay and Netley SCs
• 5th: Robert Richardson from Royal Windermere YC
• 4th: Steve Lee from RAF Sailing Association
• 3rd: Brett Aarons from Gurnard SC
• 2nd: Huw Powell from Red Wharf Bay and Netley SCs
• 1st: RS100 European Champion and UK National Champion: Alistair Dickson from Gurnard SC

RS100 Europeans prizegiving at the RS Games 2018 - photo © Alex & David Irwin / www.sportography.tv

Overall Results:

RS100 Europeans prizegiving at the RS Games 2018 - photo © Alex & David Irwin / www.sportography.tv