RS200s in the Harken RS End of Seasons Regatta at Rutland Sailing Club

RS200 class podium in the Harken RS End of Seasons Regatta at Rutland © Paul North

Amongst the chaos of the Rutland car park, six RS200s rigged on a grey but breezy November day for the Harken RS End of Seasons Regatta. The forecasted rain hadn't materialised, but the breeze was picking up nicely as racing kicked off on time.

Race one had the furthest travelled pair, John Wilson and Laura Glover of East Lothian Yacht Club, off to a strong start, leading for much of the race as the fleet navigated successfully around the outer loop of a trapezoid course, rather than the standard windward leeward. They were pipped to the finish by a strong final downwind by Tom and Tristan Ahlheid from Frensham Pond Sailing Club. The middle of the fleet was also hotly contested, with close racing between Adam and Martyn Catlow of Leigh & Lowton SC and local boat Sam and Jim Lowbridge.

The breeze continued to build for race two, with the Ahlheids off to another strong start and successfully maintaining this lead for the duration of the race, once again fending off the Scottish pair who picked up another second. Paris Thomas and Marta Uncio Ribera picked up third, having returned to the race course just in the nick of time for the start after suffering from snapped toe straps and tiller extension in race one.

Race three was off to a competitive start with the Ahlheids once again in the lead, and tight racing throughout the rest of the fleet. The Ahlheids built a comfortable lead over the course of the outer loops. The rest of the fleet was close, with places changing regularly.

The final downwind - before the reach to the finish - saw collisions, breakdowns and retirements. Paris and Marta were taken out by a rogue RS400, which wasn't even racing, causing a broken rudder. John and Laura had bent their gooseneck earlier in the race, and finally lost their boom in a gybe. Both boats were forced to retire. The Catlows sailed clean and fast to take second, and the Lowbridges picked up third.

Sadly, Sunday dawned to thick fog covering the lake and only a whisper of a breeze. Much tea was drunk and stories told until the race office finally abandoned all racing just before noon. The fog lifted as boats were being packed up and put on road bases, in time for the prize-giving to be held in bright sunshine.

First overall went to the highly consistent Tom and Tristan Ahlheid, winning with three firsts. Second went to the consistent Adam and Martyn Catlow; and third to John Wilson and Laura Glover, who rued the lack of discard.

Thank you to Harken for generously sponsoring the event and thank you to Rooster for sponsoring the RS200 Rooster National Tour 2022.

Overall Results: