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RS400 Harken RS End of Seasons Regatta at Rutland Sailing Club

by Jon Heissig 9 Nov 2021 20:11 GMT 6-7 November 2021

The weather forecast did not discourage those who entered, but standing on the balcony and looking at the white caps highlighted in the black streaks that covered the water there was much trepidation.

Day one had a run to the start in a strong South Westerly which gave the opportunity to practice strong wind gybes and, for a few unfortunates, capsize drill. A closely packed start set the tone for the first beat, and downwind being in the right place for the monster "ladder" gusts coming down the water could take you up several places as long as you could get through the gybe.

The wind increased further for the second start now at the strength where occasional dumps of the jib were required to stay upright going upwind. This didn't stop the racing being very close, and included some fantastic downwind blasts.

Mike Sims sailing with Jack Holden topped the leaderboard after the first day with two firsts, Steve and Sarah Cockerill next with two seconds. Perhaps the performance of the day was from the Pink Panther (Andy Powell and Geoff Camm), slinking about at the front end of the fleet in the second race obviously enjoying the conditions. No-one was heard complaining about the excellent Race officer signalling the end of racing for the day.

Day two had a change of location into the Southern leg of the lake due to the wind swinging more to the West, but the gusts were still very much in evidence. The wind at one point increased to more than the leeward gate mark could handle; fortunately the fleet was well versed in what to do in this situation after the Nationals. Racing for the top three positions was still exceptionally close: the final beat of the second race saw second closely covering third, and in turn being covered by first. The Cockerills spotted their chance near the windward mark and managed to sail out from under Simms and Holden into a lead to the finish, setting up a tie for the final race.

Conditions went a bit strange for the finale, with the wind backing and dropping. The Cockerills got to the windward mark first, and after swigging some "Felix Felicis" (liquid luck), caught a Harry Potter gust which carried them off into the distance.

Despite the conditions the RS400s were noticeably sustaining the largest amount of finishers, so congratulations to all and hope recovery is quick!

The Cockerills won the event by a point, impressively being the only team (I think) to stay upright. Mike and Jack were comfortably second, then it was Jon Heissig and Nicky Griffin in third just staying ahead of Chris Eames and Rachel Tilley and Teams Warsash (Matt and Ellie Sheahan, then Andy Powell and Geoff Camm). Tim and James Le Coulliard won the tie-break for the Endeavour Prize despite a final race charge. Thank you to our event sponsor Harken. First to third places were lucky enough to win Harken vouchers in addition to their prize glasses.

Overall Results:

PosSail NoHelmCrewClubR1R2R3R4R5Pts
1st1515Stephen CockerillSarah CockerillStokes Bay SC‑221115
2nd1505Michael SimsJack HoldenArun YC11‑2226
3rd1502Jon HeissigNicky GriffinLlangorse SC3‑433413
4th1292Christopher EamesRachel TilleyQMSC435(DNC)315
5th1435Matt SheahanEllie SheahanWarsash SC‑9745723
6th1520Andy PowellGeoff CammWarsash SC‑12566825
7th1280Stewart BrownJoe HartiganChew Valley SC10(DNC)84628
8th880Tim Le CouilliardJames Le CouilliardKing George SC(DNF)977528
9th1340Stuart HarrisJulian LloydBanbury SC669(DNC)DNC37
10th971Simon KitchenAbbi HooperGrafham Water SC58(DNC)DNCDNC45
11th1263Dave StocktonSophie StocktonWimbleball SC710(DNC)DNCDNC49
12th1516John HobsonMatt ReynoldsNotts County SC8(DNC)DNCDNCDNC56
13th854Chris BrownSteve CarverRORC/RHYC11(DNC)DNCDNCDNC59
14th1408Nick CharlesSimon CharlesRYA(DNC)DNCDNCDNCDNC64
14th465Piers ShoesmithNiall SchiessEastbourne Sovereign SC(DNC)OCSDNCDNCDNC64

It was then the prize-giving for the RS400 Rooster National Tour. Six events were raced with three to count. The top five sailors won vouchers generously donated by Rooster. Congratulations to our 2021 RS400 Rooster National Tour winners Mike Sims and Mark Lunn/Jack Holden!

RS400 Rooster National Tour:

1st Mike Sims and Mark Lunn/Jack Holden
2nd Ollie Groves and Sam Waller
3rd Chris Pickles and Matt Sharman
4th Wayne Fletcher and Mike Saul/Martin Cooper
5th Peter Snowdon and Louise Carr

Many thanks to the Rutland race team and safety boats. We look forward to returning to battle it out again at the 2022 RS400 End of Seasons Regatta 5-6 Nov 2022.

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