Please select your home edition
Edition
Noble Marine 2022 YY - LEADERBOARD
Product Feature
RS800
RS800

Noble Marine RS800 National Championship at Brightlingsea Sailing Club - Day 1

by Guy Fillmore 8 Sep 2023 12:47 BST 7-10 September 2023
Spinnaker hoist on day 1 of the Noble Marine RS800 Nationals at Brighlingsea © William Stacey

Twenty boats set sail from Brightlingsea Creek towards new racing waters for most of the fleet. Some were sceptical of the forecast, but the first day of the championships ended with three races sailed in a variety of conditions from underpowered to twin trapezing upwind, putting the championship one race ahead of schedule.

The fleet tried to understand the conditions during the first race, which provided a good shake out to rid any mishaps early: like being OCS, not checking the number of laps when leading a race, or ripping the rudder off the boat. Needless to say the Brightlingsea locals made the most of the home advantage with Eddie Bridle sailing with Tom Kyne, and David Conlon sailing with Ed Gibbons getting some solid results in the top ten.

The first race saw a number of lead changes, with Leo Wilkinson and Guy Fillmore able to take advantage of a kite hoist snag to overtake Monique Vennis-Ozanne and John Mather on the last leg to win.

Monique and John went on to prove staggering speed and solid tactical decision making in the light breeze to win race two and three by some margin.

Behind the speed-ship there was plenty of place changes in race two and three. The ever-consistent Luke and Emma McEwen started a strong series of results with two seconds. Fin Armstrong and Ewan Gribbin had got to grips with the reduction in power from their usual 49er in the second race to finish third, and Mathias Berthet, jetting in from Norway for the regatta, overcame the same problem with James Hall in the third race, to also finish third.

It's shaping up to be a tight series!

Results after Day 1:

PosSail NoHelmCrewClubR1R2R3Pts
1st1207Monique Vennis‑OzanneJohn MatherHill Head SC & HISC2114
2nd1220Luke McEwenEmma McEwenRoyal Lymington YC4228
3rd1144Leo WilkinsonGuy FillmoreMaidenhead SC & HISC16512
4th1Joe BradleyHugh ShoneSwanage SC35412
5th1140Mathias BerthetJames HallRoyal Norwegian YC & HISC124319
6th1188Fin ArmstrongEwan GribbinPaignton SC133723
7th1008Ben PalmerDicken MacleanHISC581023
8th1204Martin OrtonIan BrooksChichester YC612624
9th1200Eddie BridleTom KyneBrightlingsea SC107825
10th1139David ConlonEd GibbonsBrightlingsea SC7101229
11th1222Paul JenkinsPeter JenkinsEastbourne Sovereign SC991432
12th1166Ralph SingletonNuala SellwoodRestronguet SC8161640
13th1176Guy RivingtonAndrew WhapshottRS Sailing /Stokes Bay18111140
14th1043Blake TudorBrett TudorBrightlingsea SC11151541
15th1241Stephen BrownPhilip BairstowUllswater YC15141847
16th1121Ben CleggAbi CleggBrightlingsea SC14171748
17th820Bryan OrmondAnna OrmondQMSCOCS131349
18th907Tom WalkerAlice MastermanWitterings & HISCOCSDNC955
19th862Toby FreelandAlejandra GutierrezQMSC16DNC1958
20th1054James LewisEd MooreDabchicks SC17DNCDNC63
21st1203Tim GrattonArthur HendersonRoyal Thames YCDNCDNCDNC69
21st1156Huw WhitworthHarry WilsonDatchet Water SCDNCDNCDNC69

Related Articles

RS800 Spring Championship at Queen Mary
A brisk Nor Easter makes it feel more like the Winter Championship Queen Mary SC hosted the 2025 RS800 Spring Championship alongside events for the RS200s, RS400s and RS700s. Ten boats entered what might have better been described as the "Winter" championships with a brisk Nor Easter in evidence for the whole weekend. Posted on 19 Mar
Soak Tide Ride 2024 at Hayling Island
Over 100 sailors and riders to take part during the first weekend of October Hayling Island Sailing Club were really excited to reintroduce the Tide Ride and welcome over 100 sailors and riders to take part during the first weekend of October. Posted on 13 Oct 2024
Noble Marine RS800 Nationals overall
A masterclass from the race team as they hold their nerve The final day of racing at the 2024 Noble Marine RS800 National Champs bore witness to a masterclass from the race team as they held their nerve to get another two excellent races in before the 3pm cut off. Posted on 20 Sep 2024
Noble Marine RS800 Nationals days 2 & 3
The fleet was treated to three epic races in wonderful conditions on Saturday Day two flashed past with two great races. Tom Morris and Tommy Darling showed the fleet a clean pair of heels with two comprehensive wins with their great boat speed in marginal conditions. Posted on 15 Sep 2024
Noble Marine RS800 Nationals day 1
Big puffy clouds bring bursts of brilliant sunshine and occasional deluges of rain Day one of the RS800 Noble Marine Nationals could be described as atmospheric. Big puffy clouds pushed out to sea bringing bursts of brilliant sunshine and occasional deluges of rain. Posted on 13 Sep 2024
Noble Marine RS800 Nationals Runners & Riders
The upcoming battle for RS800 glory is about to take place in Hayling Bay After apocalyptic levels of rain over the last few days, dare I say it can't get any worse for the Nationals later this week... I mean surely there can't be a drop of moisture left in the sky after all that! Posted on 9 Sep 2024
The Tide Ride is Back!
Soak Tide Ride scheduled for 5th & 6th October at Hayling Island SC In 2024 we are delighted to announce that Tide Ride is back, this year as the Soak Tide Ride! Posted on 31 Aug 2024
Fernhurst Books Sponsoring Endeavour Prizes
For the RS Noughty Fleets at this year's Nationals The RS Class Association are excited to announce that Fernhurst Books are continuing with their generous support of our National Championships through sponsorship of the Endeavour Prize for each fleet. Posted on 24 Aug 2024
Noble Marine supports RS Class Association
For Noble Marine National Championships Noble Marine are proud to be sponsors of the RS Class Association, as this is one of the most active and well supported class of dinghies. Posted on 15 Aug 2024
Spinlock to sponsor RS800 Noble Marine Nationals
The specially commissioned trophy will be awarded to the top old-style hull "Spinlock are please to present the new 'Spinlock 1999 Award' trophy for the sixth year running at the RS800 Noble Marine National Championship, at Hayling Island Sailing Club. Posted on 11 Aug 2024