Sailing Chandlery RS200 Northern Tour at Staunton Harold Sailing Club

Glorious sunshine, perfect breeze and fantastic racing was the story of the day at 2023 Sailing Chandlery RS200 Northern Tour as the series returned to Staunton Harold SC.

There was drama before the fleet hit the water as Northern Rep Ben Teague found himself a crew short at 7pm the evening before the event. After a frantic last minute search, 420 sailor and fellow British Keelboat Academy member Heather Quinn stepped and saved the day, having never sailed an RS200 before.

The fleet launched into champagne sailing conditions with blue skies and 10 knots of breeze blowing straight down the reservoir. The PRO had set a windward-leeward course and race 1 got under way with a clean start. Annabelle Page led the fleet round the first mark, and then every other mark as she sailed away to take a comfortable win.

Behind them, the competition was hotting up as boats changed places on every leg. Chris & Evie Pickles managed to fend off those behind to take second place with Nigel & Di Pepperdine finishing third.

Sailing Chandlery RS200 Northern Tour at Staunton Harold - photo © SHSC

Race 2 got under way and those who chose the left hand side of the beat made the biggest gains with The Russell & Annabelle rounding first again with Ben & Heather, with Ben Dearden & Esme Barraclough close behind. After a couple of bad decisions, the two Bens successfully sailed their way back down the fleet whilst Chris & Evie stormed through to challenge for the lead.

A close port/starboard incident between the Page and Pickles boats meant the fleet came in for lunch with a possible protest looming. However, Russell & Annabelle instead decided to retire meaning Chris & Evie took the win followed by Martin & Barbera Smith in second and Nigel & Di in third.

After a spot of lunch, the fleet hit the water but with a noticeable change; Ben had jumped in the front of the boat whilst Heather took the helm. The afternoon saw a slight increase in the breeze which worked in Chris & Evie's favour as they took two wins to finish first overall.

Behind them, Russell & Annabelle put pressure on them but unfortunately could not catch them and took two second places to finish second overall. Nigel & Di rounded off a successful day with two more third places to finish third overall.

Sailing Chandlery RS200 Northern Tour at Staunton Harold - photo © SHSC

Thanks go to Nigel Pepperdine, the SHSC RS200 Fleet Captain, for his efforts organising the event and to the race team for putting on some great racing in fantastic conditions. A great day was had by all and we hope to bring to the Sailing Chandlery Northern Tour back to Staunton Harold SC in 2024!

We are now halfway through the 2023 Sailing Chandlery Northern Tour, which has so far seen 23 entries from seven different clubs. Leigh and Lowton's Martin & Barbera Smith are currently in first overall with Yorkshire Dales's Ben Dearden & Alice Carter/Esme Baraclough in second, and Leigh and Lowtons's Chris & Evie Pickles in third.

Next up, the tour is heading the beautiful Lake District for the Lord Birkett Trophy at Ullswater YC. This event is one of the biggest on the dinghy sailing calendar and is not to be missed! Thirteen RS200s have entered so far and the event promises to be a fantastic one!

Sailing Chandlery RS200 Northern Tour at Staunton Harold - photo © SHSC

Overall Results:

Sailing Chandlery RS200 Northern Tour at Staunton Harold - photo © SHSC