RS800 class looks forward to packed calendar of events in 2019
by Emma McEwen 14 Dec 2018 18:04 GMT
Rooster RS800 National Tour at Eastbourne © Gary Smith
Dinghy Show, Alexandra Palace: 2-3 Mar
Usually plenty of RS800 sailors milling about here... and this year we've got even more reason to gather to celebrate our 20th Birthday! Rumours of a bit of a party on the RS stand – details soon - come and join us!
Rooster National Tour One: Spring Regatta, Rutland SC: 23-24 Mar
The fleet gathers at picturesque Rutland Water SC after our Winter hibernation. We join the Mustos and B14s for well-run racing on flat water with maybe the odd shifting gust to wake us up... A great venue for teams new to the boat to gain confidence, whilst also offering challenging tactics for those able to get their heads out of the boat.
Rooster National Tour Two: Stokes Bay SC: 13-14 Apr
Now an annual fixture in our calendar; Stokes Bay SC always offers a warm welcome to the RS800s and is home to a big and very keen local fleet to boost numbers on the water. Tidal racing with probably a few decent waves thrown in. Beach launching and recovery is made easy with lots of volunteers and all sailors ready to help each other out. The evening social at the club with rum happy hour and the bizarre and entertaining Dan Vincent Quiz, where we do battle with the Mustos and B14s off the water, is not to be missed!
Eurocup One: French Open Skiff, Lac du Der: 19-22 Apr
A very international and friendly gathering of like-minded skiff sailors from all over Europe. Handicap fleet racing but expect a good turnout of RS800s and competitive sailing for the first Eurocup event of the season. Accommodation and food all on site with a relaxed racing programme and training provided on the Friday. Conveniently close to France's Champagne region for other-halves looking for an alternative Easter break. A big and attractive lake with reasonably steady breeze and forgiving flat water, an ideal venue to build your skills. Recommended by all those who've been before. Just book your ferry early before it gets too expensive over the busy Easter holiday.
Rooster National Tour Three: Hayling Island SC, Whitsun Regatta: 25-26 May with invitation to join in Mon 27
The RS800s join in with HISC's popular Whitsun Regatta. We'll be racing out at sea in Hayling Bay to stretch our legs and dancing the night away when the party kicks off Saturday evening. Our own class starts for Saturday and Sunday form the Rooster National Tour event but why not take advantage of the invitation to stay on and race on the bank holiday Monday in the club's big pursuit race?
Rooster National Tour Four: RS Summer Regatta, Lymington Town SC: 8-9 June
Expect a friendly welcome in Lymington and a wealth of activities for other members of the family to enjoy on or off the water. A chance to meet up with friends from other RS classes and to enjoy the challenging Western Solent conditions. It's only a short sail out from the sheltered Lymington River to the race area in open water. Make sure you know which way the tide is running when you judge that layline to the windward mark! The slipway may be small but the LTSC volunteer slipway team are a well-honed machine and you'll be reunited with your trolley in a flash. DJ Tipper is rumoured to be playing on Saturday night so pack your dancing shoes!
Rooster National Tour Five: East Coast Piers Race Weekend, Marconi SC: 6-7 July
A firm favourite of the East Coast RS800 fleet for years, but new to the UK Tour calendar for 2019. The shore-side festival scene is famous and reason enough to head East for the weekend. The sailing promises to be varied and exciting with Saturday comprising standard windward leeward courses. Then on Sunday we get to explore the coast with a single long distance race to test our navigation and stamina. The local boats will be the ones to watch! This sounds like a great adventure.
Eurocup Two: European Championship, Torbole, Lake Garda: 22-26 July
Bring it on! Book your ferry and accommodation now – this is the reason you sail an RS800! Torbole YC has just had a grand make-over and will be even more fabulous than in 2016. Awesome sailing and the best pizza, pasta and prosecco await us!
Rooster National Tour Six: Lyme Regis SC Regatta: 3-4 Aug
For epic rolling wave open sea racing we head West! With protected launching in Lyme Regis' pretty harbour this is the ideal venue to access Lyme Bay's fantastic sailing ground. We join in with the super-friendly club's annual Regatta with our own course for all races except the final all-important Championship race where we line up with Solos, mini-cruisers, Fireballs and Luggers to name a few. The food Saturday night will undoubtedly be caught while we're on the water and I'd challenge you to find a more delicious feast laid on at any other sailing club.
Eurocup Three: UK National Championship, Eastbourne SSC: 5-8 Sept (incorporating 20th Anniversary Reunion Regatta on Sat 7)
A fantastic championship venue to celebrate 20 years of RS800 racing. Expect Garda-esque thrills on a big day and good tactical challenges if we get a shifting offshore breeze. The club may be small and volunteer run but the close knit community know how to run a professional top-notch event and make us feel at home. The race team is already busy working hard to ensure we get the best sailing on the water while the shore-side festivities and social program are shaping up to be unmissable! The four days of racing for the coveted title of UK National Champion will be spiced up on the Saturday with a one day Reunion Regatta where we look to welcome back to the fleet as many past champions and other RS800 sailors who've raced with us over the last 20 years. We'll all celebrate together that evening with a massive Anniversary Dinner. Keep your diary clear and watch out for more details soon!
Rooster National Tour Seven: Inland Championship, Grafham WSC: 5-6 Oct
Probably the best inland championship venue, certainly the steadiest breeze of any pond. Expect top class race management and awesome bacon butties. A great venue to line up against other RS800s and work on your straight-line boat speed with plenty of helpful sailors willing to pass on their top tips. Just make sure you're at the start line on time – there's no hanging about between races here! The club will lay on a hearty meal in their comfy bar Saturday evening and there's plenty of space to camp or park your van to stay on site.
Rooster National Tour Eight: End of Season Regatta, Rutland SC: 2-3 Nov
We go back to Rutland for a big get together with the rest of the RS classes to round off the season. A massive pursuit race on the Saturday where the RS800s get to chase down all the other fleets and do our best to stay upright on the challenging white sail reaches! A lively social on Saturday evening before three back to back windward leewards on Sunday. With bunk rooms in the club and campervan parking and camping in the field next door, accommodation is easy and affordable. Just remember to pack your warmest hat and gloves!