Please select your home edition
Edition
Noble Marine 2022 YY - LEADERBOARD

Noble Marine West Country Boat Repairs RS200 National Championship - Runners and Riders

by Tommy Darling 11 Aug 2021 15:10 BST 15-19 August 2021
James Peters and Maddy Anderson © Rudder Stock Photos

Introducing the runners and riders for the Noble Marine West Country Boat Repairs RS200 National Championships 2021! This year's event, at Exe SC, will cap off a trilogy of epic sporting events held this summer.

No disrespect to our fantastic footballing heroes and incredible Olympic team but the 200 Nationals is the one we've all been waiting for. To help you understand our runners and riders, I have likened them to a team that competed in the Euros. Enjoy!

James Peters and Maddy Anderson - France

Of course, you cannot look past James and Maddy. Just like World Champions France, they are going into this event as clear favourites after their dominant win in Torquay two years ago. Lightning quick downwind, a slow start means nothing when these two are on the counter attack.

Hamish Walker and Emma Hivey - Germany

Hamish and Emma are consistent and experienced. Multiple Wilson Trophy winner, Hamish does not relent in head-to-heads, so you best not make a mistake. Top five finishes at the last four Nationals, they don't miss when the pressure is on.

James Hammett and Jess Hammett - Switzerland

The Hammetts are a sibling duo that have everyone talking after an emphatic win at the Hayling Island Rooster National Tour event. Counting just 5 points in as many races, they shocked everyone by beating James and Maddy akin to Switzerland's high drama last-16 victory over France.

Rob Henderson and Mat Currell - Ukraine

A returning legend in a new role? Like Andriy Shevchenko, who came back to manage Ukraine after years as their star player, 2018 National Champion crew Rob Henderson is returning but this time at the back of the boat. He is going to expect perfection from new crew Mat Currell!

Arran Holman and Toby Lewis - Portugal

A great team that includes a real superstar. Toby Lewis is the Cristiano Ronaldo of British dinghy racing. Toby has 8 Endeavour trophies to his name and is a national champion in just about every class worth winning, including the RS200's. Starting next to this hiking machine is definitely worth avoiding.

Martin Wrigley and Will Ward - Czech Republic

British 470 sailor, Martin Wrigley, loves to keep his bow the right side of the tide. Like Patrik Schick and his 50-yard screamer against the Scots, Martin produces a little bit of magic when the world is watching; winning all three televised races at this year's 470 Europeans. However, I will be deducting style points if he elects to sit to leeward downwind. Teaming up with quiz master Will Ward, first at the most recent Rooster National Tour event, they will definitely be on everyone's radar.

Will Taylor and Fiona Mulcahy - Belgium

Belgium led the FIFA world rankings going into the Euros and our class chairman Will Taylor leads our Rooster national tour rankings. This man has RS200 tattooed across his chest and ice in his veins. Sailing every minute they can, will time on the water be key to their success?

Ian Martin and Chris Catt - Italy

Just like Italy, the younger members of our fleet might not remember these two at their dominant peak. 2013 was the last time this pair BOTH featured in the 200 Nationals. Finishing as 2nd and 3rd helms that year and Ian winning in 2014, this boat is brimming with experience and 200 knowledge. After a 2nd place at the last national tour event, they're going to Exe meaning business.

Robbie King and Bethan Matthew - England

England fielded a fantastic squad this year that had youth at its core. The 200 fleet shares that youth culture with over a third of the fleet falling into our youth category. Robbie King and Bethan Matthew are a top team racing pair that are quick, clever and my pick for Youth National Champions. Finishing 11th at the previous championships, they will be looking to break the top 10 this time around. Robbie may give the impression that he's cool and calculated, but; he has no idea how he's getting to Exe, where they are staying or what he's wearing for fancy dress... it's really Bethan that is the brains of the organisation.

Freya Black and Chris Thomas - The Lionesses

My pick for top ladie's helm is Freya Black. As a British Sailing Team 470 helm, she brings a wealth of racing experience. This will be her first 200 nationals but teaming up with fellow British Sailing team- mate, Chris Thomas, they should have tallied more sailing hours this year than anyone else. She will face tough competition from top match racing helm, Sophie Otter sailing with Carys Randeria.

That may conclude my pick for the runners and riders but with so many talented sailors heading to Exe next week, we really could see anyone leading the pack!

See the event website here...

Related Articles

The Glastonbury of the UK Sailing Scene
Get your entry in for the RS200 Nationals at Abersoch in August! Move over The 1975, Raye and *checks notes* Rod Stewart (?!) - the countdown for the Glastonbury of the UK sailing scene is on. With 96 entries already locked in, the RS200 fleet are just a few sailors away from hitting the magic 100. Posted on 1 Jul
Stewart Brewing RS200 Scottish Tour Update
The fleet has been enjoying some east coast sea venues The Stewart Brewing Scottish Tour is back for 2025, and have been enjoying some east coast sea venues, with events at East Lothian and Tynemouth giving us a great start to the season. Posted on 25 Jun
Brendan and Ellen's Adventure to Warsash
A poem of the RS200 Summer Championship, Rooster National Tour & Sailing Chandlery EaSEA Tour event! RS200 Summer Championship, Rooster National Tour and Sailing Chandlery EaSEA Tour at Warsash. Posted on 24 Jun
Coppet Week Regatta 2025 at Saundersfoot
Disrupted by strong winds after the amazing spring weather After one of the longest stretches of Spring sunshine in West Wales for a long time the opening Sunday of Saundersfoot Sailing Club's Coppet Week Regatta saw a noticeable change in the weather. Posted on 13 Jun
RS Sailing Store partners with RS Nationals
Official chandlery partner for the noughty and RS Vareo class Nationals 2025 The RS Class Association is thrilled to announce that RS Sailing Store will be the official chandlery partner for the noughty and RS Vareo class National Championships 2025. Posted on 5 Jun
RS200 Sprint Championship at Waldringfield
Fast, furious, and above all - fun! Fast, furious, and above all - fun! That was the RS200 Sprints event run at Waldringfield SC on Sunday 1st June. With glorious sunshine, a high tide and a gusty F3-4 the stage was set for five short races (15-20 minutes). Posted on 4 Jun
RS200 SW Ugly Tour at Parkstone
Finishing up with a beer for tallying in and a huge spread of cakes With the forecast due to build throughout the day, and the threat of fog on the drive down, we all arrived to a warm welcome at sunny Parkstone Yacht Club. Posted on 2 Jun
RS200 Sprints entry closing soon
Waldringfield are hosting on 1st June Entry closes soon for the RS200 Sprints event at Waldringfield - building on the strong fleet at the Easter Egg with 20 boats we are running some dedicated sprint racing comprising fives races back-to-back on the afternoon flood. Posted on 27 May
Poole Week Revitalised For 2025
New race teams and new courses for the summer's big event How do you make a great sailing week even better, without losing the elements that have always made it a great sailing week? Posted on 24 May
Get your Early Bird Abersoch Dinghy Week entry in
This ever popular family week is open to all dinghy classes and fleets Entries are now over 60 boats registered, so thanks to all of you who have entered so far, but if you want to save a few bucks please enter before the early bird rate comes to an end on the 1st June. Posted on 24 May