RS200s at the Waldringfield Sailing Club Easter Egg

RS200s at the Waldringfield Easter Egg © Alexis Smith

Several visitors came to bolster the fast expanding home fleet of RS200s for the Waldringfield Easter Egg Regatta on 19/20 April. 21 boats took part which made for some excellent close racing in the first event of the 2019 Fox's Chandlery Eastern Travellers circuit for RS200s.

The weather could not have been better with Force 2-4 winds combining with bright sunshine. A figure of eight course was set for the first 2 races with competitors eager to enjoy the conditions. Unfortunately, many were too eager in the second start with the tide pushing many towards the pin and over the line. A general recall was sounded together with a black flag which made for a clean re-start. Stephen Videlo and Maddie Harris won both the first 2 races with MJ and Fran Gifford picking up a second and third.

In Race 3 the Race Officer decided to show off as much of the river as possible with the furthest marks at each end placed half way towards Felixstowe Ferry and Woodbridge respectively. Stephen and Maddie recorded another first while Will Taylor and Matt Taylor showed their consistency by picking up another fourth to add to the two recorded earlier and as visitors, showed that local knowledge wasn't everything.

RS200s at the Waldringfield Easter Egg - photo © Alexis Smith

Race 4 was set with a very short first beat across the tide, - ideal conditions for a general recall! The 21 starters surely obliged and the black flag was then implemented for all of the remaining races. Ian and Alyson Videlo took the win as a testing last reach made competitors decide which side of the river they needed to follow and how soon they should cross the tide to make the finish. Adam Fuller and Aaron Woolf called it right and made up several places to take second, while Will and Matt Taylor maintained their consistency with a third.

Race 5 resulted in a well-earned win for Hattie Collingridge and Katie Spark followed by Stephen and Maddie, with Archie Penn and Alex Bell-Jones in third.

The final race was significant for 3 competitors being black flagged which was particularly unfortunate for Adam and Aaron who had already been black flagged in Race 5 and thus were heavily impacted in their overall result. However, Stephen and Maddie returned to form with a win to seal overall victory.

Big thanks to the Race, Safety and Galley teams at Waldringfield who ensured an enjoyable weekend for all competitors.

We can only hope that the weather contributes in the same way at the next event in the Fox's Chandlery Eastern Circuit which takes place on 2nd June at Burnham Sailing Club.

Overall Results: