RS Elite National Championship at the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta - Day 1
by Paul Fisk 12 Jul 18:28 BST
11-14 July 2019
RS Elites hoist their kites rounding the windward mark © Peter Hickson
The RS Elite fleet began their 2019 UK National Championship, which is being held as part of the Volvo Dun Laoghaire regatta, in tricky conditions with fickle, light winds which provided testing conditions for the competitors.
Race 1 started on time at 3pm in a light north westerly breeze. With the wind coming off the land, a cool head was required to plot a course through the 30 degree shifts and hazardous holes in the pressure. The Doctor (46, Peter Copsey, Max and Alison Rogers) mastered the conditions to round the top mark first with some of the pre-event favourites back in the pack. An equally tricky run saw a change at the front with Foudafafa (76, Mike McIntyre, Simon Childs and Caroline McIntyre) finding the overtaking lane to round the leeward gate first.
The second beat was more of a one-sided affair with most boats fetching the mark from halfway up the beat. At the end of the second downwind leg the leeward gate became a windward gate as a light sea breeze arrived switching the wind through 180 degrees. Mike McIntyre and crew held their nerve to win Race 1 by a narrow margin.
Race 2 started in 7 knots of south easterly sea breeze. Brian Corry in Tuppence (19) found the best pressure to round the windward mark first. After a tense run in a fading breeze, Brian managed to sneak round the leeward gate first to extend into a comfortable lead to win the shortened Race 2.
Three races are scheduled for Day 2 with a forecast of a steadier 15 knot north westerly breeze and overcast sky.
The fleet are thoroughly enjoying the hospitality at the Royal St George Yacht Club and are looking forward to the RS Elite Class Association AGM, which is scheduled to be held after racing.