Noble Marine TridentUK RS400 Nationals - Runners and Riders
by Jacob Ainsworth 12 Aug 2021 18:17 BST
23-27 August 2021
Steve and Sarah Cockerill ©
www.SailPics.co.uk
23rd-27th August will see a 50 boat strong fleet arrive at South Shields Sailing, who will be hosting the first ever RS400 Nationals sailed on Northern English waters.
We have given a run through of some (however, not all) of the runners and riders fighting for this year's title of RS400 UK National Champion. Within the fleet we have three previous 400 National Champions and numerous other National and World champions from other classes, therefore this is shaping up to be a hotly contested regatta.
Steve and Sarah Cockerill - This team have been gobbling up open wins for fun this season, including recent wins at Llandegfedd, the Summer Champs and Lee on Solent. With a wealth of experience across a number of classes and a 3rd at the last nationals in Northern Ireland, the boat whisperers will be sure to be at the front of the fleet!
Stewart and Sarah Robertson - Two times National Champions and the last team to win the Nationals on English waters, little more needs to be said. Will the newly crowned titles of Grandpa and Grandma slow them down? We highly doubt it!
Michael Sims and Mark Lunn - Another former 400 National Champion, Mike and Mark have put in some strong performances on the Northern Tour this season including winning the Tynemouth event which was sailed on Nationals waters earlier this summer. This win certainly puts them in good stead for the main event!
Dave Exley and Alistair Coates - Dave is a veteran of the fleet having achieved top five results at the last two Nationals. This year he has teamed up with Alistair who clearly knows how to get a 400 going having won the Birkett in a 400 last month! Definitely a duo to watch!
Nick Craig and Toby Lewis - This team need no introduction. Nick has a very impressive ten 400 Nationals wins under his belt, three of which were with super crew Toby, including the most recent Nationals in Northern Ireland. Little more needs to be said...
Sam Knight and Chris Bownes - Constantly hanging around the right end of the fleet, this year they bring a new boat to the start line. Could this make the all-important difference?
Ollie Groves and Sam Waller - New to the fleet this year having upgraded from the 200, this pairing have already showed that they have some serious boat speed coming second at Yorkshire Dales whilst posting a number of race wins.
Alex Knight and Rob Higgins - Alex has a proven track record in a number of classes including Musto Skiff National Champion and has recently just finished second at the International 14 POW week also hosted on National waters! Can all of this be transferred across to the 400?
Jon Gay and Amanda Henderson - Possibly the lightest crew in the fleet? Jon and Amanda will fly if its light winds and if it's windy they will hike harder than anyone else! Often found going for a post-sail 10k after a hard day sailing, does this team ever tire?
The Locals - There is a strong local fleet of RS400s including Nathan Batchelor and James Clark who ran Mike and Mark close at the Tynemouth Open. Could local knowledge prove to make the difference?
So, that's our list of runners and riders for this year's Noble Marine, Trident UK RS400 National Championships 2021. However, as we all know, at a Champs... anything can happen!
South Shields Sailing Club are looking forward to welcoming the fleet in just over a week!