Noble Marine West Country Boat Repairs RS200 National Championship at Exe Sailing Club - Social side
by Sally Campbell 18 Aug 2021 15:38 BST
15-19 August 2021
On the Farm Ugly party at the RS200 National Championship © West Country Boat Repairs
Anyone who has ever sailed at an RS200 Nationals will know that whilst the sailing is some of the most competitive in the country, with huge fleets and fierce competition throughout; the shoreside is what draws so many entrants and lives on in stories to be told in bars for decades to come.
The Noble Marine West Country Boat Repairs RS200 Nationals at Exe SC has been no exception. The 25th Nationals week started reasonably gently with the Buddy Quiz, and ramped up a notch with the youth karaoke, whilst the masters and would-be masters enjoyed a meal at a beach-side pub for a slightly calmer vibe.
And then things exploded!
The On the Farm Ugly party, hosted by title sponsor Pete Vincent of West Country Boat Repairs, aka Ugly, will be one to go down in RS200 history. After a touching celebration of his sailing life put together by club members who have known him since history early days in Mirrors at Exe and being last man standing at the bar, Pete was able to say a few words:
"A legendary night at the RS200 Nationals! One of the top five RS parties in the last 25 years, up there with the big ones from Looe, Tenby, Highcliffe etc!"
The RS200 fleet youth contingent grows each year, creating a high-energy festival feel. Young sailor Rory Odell reported on the Ugly Party:
"Another classic at the RS200s. The evening was started by a fantastic curry, a personal favourite. The bar worked tirelessly all night to fill a lot of thirsty farmers and animals all of whom were on great form.
"The band, The Late Shift, sourced and paid for by our dearest Pete Vincent kept the atmosphere alight. A perfectly executed fancy dress party as usual. So many thanks to all that made it happen and the characters that came to attend!"
A quieter night tonight, with the class AGM, before the final night Black Tie Dinner will end the Championships in style on Thursday.