Please select your home edition
Edition
Rooster 2025

RS500 Rooster National Tour at the Lymington Dinghy Regatta 2022

by Sally Campbell 21 Jul 2022 14:02 BST
RS500 Rooster National Tour at the Lymington Dinghy Regatta © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

With the sun shining and a promise of the Solent's trusty sea breeze brewing on the horizon, ten RS500 teams gathered eagerly on shore at Lymington Dinghy Regatta. The class had its own start and six windward leeward races on a course shared with RS700, RS800 and handicap fleets.

It was a slow start with race one eventually under way in shifty, fickle northerly conditions before a consistent sea breeze filled in for races 2 and 3, with a good 9-12 knot wind speed meaning the crews got to stretch out on the wire.

Father and son team, Hugh and Luke Watson, got off to a winning start, demonstrating their speed upwind to secure a bullet in race one. Races 2 and 3 were close fought with Hugh and Luke winning an impressive port flyer on both starts, before being chased down by Mike Saul and Ollie Kent as well as Tim and Heather Wilkins. The latter pipping Hugh and Luke in a photo finish in race three.

Sunday saw an earlier sea breeze with all three races sailed in a consistent southwesterly F3-4 and bright hot sunshine. In the earlier races the outgoing tide added to the pressure and chop, making the downwind legs a fun ride. The battle at the front was between Mike and Ollie, and Tim and Heather, and was closer than the eventual scoreline suggests.

A consistent performance by class newcomers Robin Leather and Sophie Wright led them to pick a well-deserved third place overall, while youngsters Thomas Leather and Maeve Hall picked up an endeavour award for completing all races in their first RS500 event, and showing great speed potential in the mix.

A huge thank you to the Lymington Clubs for hosting the RS500s and running another very successful and enjoyable regatta!

With the 2022 World Championships just around the corner in Weymouth next month, this was a fantastic warm up event and gives an early indication for how close racing from the British teams will be across the fleet.

See Tim Olin's photo gallery: olinphoto.co.uk/index.php/2022/07/11/lymington-dinghy-regata-2022

Overall Results:

PosSail NoHelmCrewClubR1R2R3R4R5R6Pts
1st625Tim WilkinsHeather WilkinsGurnard SC‑3111115
2nd1689Mike SaulOliver KentYorkshire Dales SC4‑5322314
3rd652Robin LeatherSophie WrightGurnard‑107433219
4th968Fiona RudolphSimon Rudolph 6‑10565426
5th1746Hugh WatsonLuke WatsonEmsworth SC122(DNC)DNCDNC27
6th610John CooperDavid ShaftoBurghfield SC7‑9754528
7th922Thomas LeatherMaeve HallGurnard SC‑86846630
8th783Nigel DavisAaron DavisDraycott Water986(UFD)7737
9th710Simon HorsfieldKatie HorsfieldThorney Island SC23(DNC)DNCDNCDNC38
10th1681Peter CurtisJames CurtisGrafham Water54(DNC)DNCDNCDNC42

Related Articles

RS500 Rooster National Tour Gurnard
A familiar sense of déjà vu from last year Saturday morning at Gurnard Sailing Club on the Isle of Wight started with a familiar sense of déjà vu from last year: The wind just topping the feasible strength to start the RS500 Open and Club Championships. Posted on 8 Jul
RS500 Rooster National Tour at Grafham Water
Diary clashes restrict the entry for the Inland Championship Unfortunate diary clashes restricted the RS500 entry to the Grafham Water SC Skiff Challenge, which doubled up as the RS500 Inland Championship on the weekend of 28/29 June. Posted on 30 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
15% Off New Sails with Early Bird Entry
For RS sailors who going to any UK National Championships RS Sailing Store is proud to support the UK RS Class Associations and their events in 2025. RS Sailors gearing up for their 2025 UK season can take advantage of an exclusive offer to help them hit the start line with fresh sails. Posted on 17 May
French Open Skiff won by RS500
Emma and Luke McEwen switch roles and class, and take the victory Right at the start of their first season in the RS500, and with a switch of roles in the boat, Emma and Luke McEwen have won the prestigious French Open Skiff event at Lac du Der. Posted on 25 Apr
Bristol Race and Train Weekend
RS500 Rooster National Tour season opener recap Six boats and twelve sailors kicked off the 2025 RS500 season in a super competitive fleet at Bristol's Race and Train weekend. Posted on 8 Apr
Entry open for RS100, RS500 and RS600 Nationals
The legendary Mount's Bay will host their Noble Marine Nationals The RS Class Association announce the opening of the third consecutive National Championships at Mount's Bay Sailing Club. Posted on 20 Mar
Harken to sponsor RS Sprints Regatta
Celebrate the start of a superb year of racing at Rutland in April To celebrate the start of a superb year of racing five RS classes are invited to the Harken RS Sprints Regatta hosted by the RS Class Association and Rutland Sailing Club 26th to 27th April 2025. Posted on 10 Feb
A Year of Celebration, Competition, and Community
RS Sailing reflects on an incredible year As we reflect on an incredible year, RS Sailing extends a heartfelt thanks to all the dedicated members of the racing community, from those organizing small local regattas to the passionate competitors and volunteers involved in events. Posted on 24 Dec 2024
RS500 Rooster National Tour
45 races, 17 helms, 20 crews, 37 total sailors, 12 sailing clubs Seven sailing events, 45 races, 17 helms, 20 crews, 37 total sailors, 12 sailing clubs represented, 11 different helms, 12 different crews on the podiums, lots of prizes, endeavour prizes and mid-fleet heroes,...and one sensational Limbo competition. Posted on 18 Nov 2024