RS700 Inland Championship at Queen Mary Sailing Club

RS700 Inlands at Queen Mary © James Bayliss

RS700 Inlands at Queen Mary © James Bayliss

Arriving at Queen Mary SC for the first day of the RS700 Inlands it soon became apparent that the forecast of strong winds and rain was entirely accurate. With gusts in the high 40s racing was promptly abandoned and with the fleet keen, Sunday's racing was brought forward to fit in a fourth race.

The fleet arrived early on Sunday to completely contrasting conditions: bright sunshine and a gentle breeze blowing across the reservoir. The fleet spread along the line for the start of race one and headed off into a shifty breeze, trying to make the most of the stronger puffs. Spike Daniels picked the right shift to lead at the first mark closely followed by Phil Highfield and Theo Galyer. For the next two laps boats concertinaed before spreading out into the final positions.

The wind pipped up between races, but vanished as the fleet lined up for race two. The fleet continued its good behaviour getting away first time. Spike again showed his upwind pace to lead at the first mark this time with James Bayliss hot on his tail. Spike and James gybed straight off and vanished into the distance to take first and second. Behind them four boats were fighting hard for third. After three laps of constant place changing Phil just sneaked past Graham Blake at the last mark to take third.

A big shift in the wind and a big jump in the wind strength as the last boats finished got everyone excited only for it to vanish again as the sequence started for race three. The course was moved up the reservoir in order to achieve a decent windward leeward. The race kicked off with a stunning start from Roland Smith who managed to round the windward mark with Spike and held on to this for the majority of the race. A few boats took some risks banging the left-hand corner. From this Stephen Hermanson, a local QMSC sailor, got the better of Roland on the last leg with phenomenal down wind speed. Spike took the win and the championship. Race four began with boats just trapezing. Spike shot up the first beat again to round in the lead. Theo and James following in second and third. Spike pulled clear and looked good for his fourth win untill he went for the finish line a lap early. Theo gratefully took the lead and didn't look back for the win. Meanwhile, Phil had edged James out on the second downwind to take second with James holding off Spike for third.

Overall Spike was the class act of the weekend and was crowned the RS700 inland Champion. Phil Highfield had a consistent weekend to take second from Theo Gayler who finished third.

Overall Results: