Volvo Noble Marine RS700 Nationals supported by Hyde Sails at Eastbourne Sovereign SC - Day 2

by Matt Carter 7 Sep 2019 06:08 BST 6 September 2019

With 25kts screaming across the course the fleet gingerly ventured out for a planned two races on day two of the regatta. It was clear from the pre-start circus that it was going to be a challenging day!

The race started with 75% upright and the fleet charged up the first beat. Unfortunately the championship leader and class chairman Theo Galyer lost his mast by meditating after the start. This providing an added incentive to the chasing pack. Robbie Bell was fastest despite nursing a tack bar that has come out on one side! Matt Carter was second to the windward mark and Richard Wadsworth third. Richard hoisted when others didn't and sailed over Matt, who was feeling nervous after a pre-start pitch pole and was more cautious, and nearly caught Robbie who was also nervous on the hoist. Richard promptly swam in the gybe and lost his gains!

Robbie again flew upwind with Matt and Richard chasing. Colin Dacey and Jack Napolitano were steaming up to take advantage of any more spills. Matt spilt in on the final tack letting Richard through and was upright again to round just ahead of Colin. Robbie steamed downwind under one sail and survived with just three capsizes to remain in the lead until the finish. Richard kept second and Matt stayed ahead of the pack for third.

All the RS700s, except Theo, who had started finished in great shape and watched the carnage across the RS800 fleet who were keeping the eight ribs busy. So much so that the race officer canned the second race allowing the fleet to return for an early shower.

Results after Day 2:

Pos	Fleet	Sail No	Helm	Club	R1	R2	R3	R4	Pts
1st	Gold	875	Robbie Bell	Snettisham Beach SC	‑4	1	2	1	4
2nd	Gold	1063	Theo Galyer	HISC	2	2	1	(DNC)	5
3rd	Gold	720	Richard Wadsworth	Stokes Bay SC / RNSA	1	‑9	5	2	8
4th	Gold	966	Matt Carter	Lancing SC	5	‑8	3	3	11
5th	Gold	1027	Colin Dacey	Snettisham Beach SC	‑7	5	6	4	15
6th	Gold	1042	Pete Purkiss	Brightlingsea SC	9	3	4	(DNC)	16
7th	Gold	836	Phillip Highfield	Gt Yarmouth & Gorleston SC	3	7	7	‑10	17
8th	Gold	944	James Bayliss	QMSC	‑11	4	8	8	20
9th	Gold	945	Rich Lilley	Lymington Town SC	8	6	‑12	6	20
10th	Silver	1041	Matt Conner	QMSC	6	‑11	9	7	22
11th	Silver	860	Jack Napolitano	Snettisham Beach SC	13	13	(DNC)	5	31
12th	Silver	727	Nick Heather	Royal Windermere YC / SWSC	10	12	10	(DNC)	32
13th	Silver	982	Roland Smith	HISC/QMSC	‑12	10	11	11	32
14th	Silver	1035	Roger Taylor	HISC	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	9	43
15th	Silver	801	Stephen Carr	Brightlingsea SC	(RET)	14	13	DNC	44
16th	Gold	1060	Jerry Wales	Windsport	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	DNC	51