Harken RS200 Youth and Junior Championships at Rutland Sailing Club

Harken RS200 Youth and Junior Championships at Rutland © Josh East

14 boats took to Rutland for the Harken RS200 Youth and Junior Championships, with varying conditions across the weekend making for some interesting racing for all.

Saturday's racing saw some breezy conditions that allowed the PRO to get racing going nice and quickly so we could avoid the rain later in the day. Race one saw some close racing at the front despite the heavy winds, however behind this, the high winds meant high speeds downwind extending gaps between boats. Tight racing right to the last mark resulted in Robbie King and Jamie Webb taking the win followed by Chay Taylor and Niamh Davies in second and Will Taylor and Fiona Mulcahy in a close third.

The rest of the day continued with the heavy winds as the fleet started to get closer as everyone started to adjust to the conditions. Race 2 saw Will and Fiona move to the front with Alex Smallwood and Callum Farnden in second and Chay and Niamh taking third. To finish the day, Robbie and Jamie took the wins in races 3 and 4, with Will and Fiona coming in second on both and Chay and Niamh taking third in race 3 and Alex and Callum in race 4.

Saturday's results left Robbie and Jamie leading overnight with Will and Fiona in second and Chay and Niamh taking third. The close overall points overnight would mean for some great racing on Sunday with a lot to play for.

After racing the fleet reconvened in the bar to reflect on the days racing and it was clear to see a few tired bodies that were looking forward to the BBQ that the club had laid on. After the BBQ the Aeros decided to join in when we commenced the games for the evening and it was great to see both fleets together having fun.

Harken RS200 Youth and Junior Championships at Rutland - photo © Josh East

Sunday started off with some lighter breeze bringing the racing closer together and some lighter pairings towards the front of the fleet. Some shifty conditions saw some delays before the first race got under way but resulted in some great, close racing right through the fleet.

Race five saw Robbie and Jamie and Jamie take the first win of the day, followed through the finish by Ollie and Esther and Bethan Matthew and James Scott finishing third. This set the tone for the day with many results being rather scrambled and consistency becoming the key to keeping at the top of the results.

The final results saw Robbie King and Jamie Web taking the Harken RS200 Youth Champions title, followed by Will Taylor and Fiona Mulcahy in second and Chay Taylor and Niamh Davies taking the third spot. Also, taking home a new "Boom of Doom", Cambridge University won the first university title. RS200 Junior Champions were James and Tom Johnson.

Of course, our thanks go to Rutland Sailing Clubs organising and race committee for putting on such a well-run event and to our sponsor Harken. We hope to see even more of you next year as we build off this fantastic event!

Cambridge University take home a new Boom of Doom in the Harken RS200 Youth and Junior Championships at Rutland - photo © Josh East

Overall Results:

Harken RS200 Youth and Junior Championships at Rutland - photo © Josh East