RS600 Rooster National Tour at Notts County Sailing Club

Eighteen competitors arrived at Notts County Sailing club for the RS600 open, sponsored by Silverhook and Rooster, held in parallel with Aeros and Solos, each fleet having a separate start.

The dismal forecast for Saturday 30th September didn't put off the keen RS600 sailors from attending the open event at Notts County Sailing Club. Plenty of new faces travelling across country were a welcomed sight and shows the fleet continues to go from strength to strength.

Startline during the RS600 Open at Notts County SC - photo © David Eberlin

Competitors were met with light winds for the opening race with the lighter crews trapezing at times. Race 1 saw Jamie Mawson (Notts County) get away at the start and cruise to one of his easier wins without any trouble. A much closer race was going on behind him with George Smith (Bough Beech) battling his way through the top third of the fleet to finish 2nd closely followed by Jake Willars (Notts County) 3rd and John Tailby (Notts County) 4th.

Race 2 saw the wind start with a breeze then drop lighter and more wind shifty, it became quite fluky at times. George Smith led the way but was in constant battle with Jamie Mawson for the bullet and in the end succumbed to the pressure with Jamie again taking the win by the narrowest of margins. Close racing again behind the front two saw places changing constantly between the top 10 but Jake Willars showed good speed and consistency bagging two thirds.

Jamie Mawson wins the RS600 Open at Notts County SC - photo © David Eberlin

The breeze freshened for race 3 and most crews were now wiring making for an exciting final race. The first two starts had been port biased but a change to the line saw the majority go for the starboard end. Alex Piggott (Notts County) this time got a cracking start and picked up the shift on the left-hand side of the course to lead at the windward mark with a comfortable gap behind. Matt Potter (Notts County) and George Smith were in hot pursuit and battling for 2nd place. George finally got through Matt and then continued to hunt down the leader into the finish line, but Piggott hung on for the win propelling him above Jake Willars on count back to take 3rd overall. Smith's 2nd place secured 2nd overall and Jamie Mawson was crowned the winner.

Other notable results were Ian Marshall (Oxford and RAF SA) 1st Master finishing 6th overall and 16-year-old Raife Piggott (Notts County)1st youth in his first ever 600 event finishing 10th overall.

Prizewinners in the RS600 Open at Notts County SC - photo © Kathryn Hinsliff-Smith

It was a great event with exciting racing throughout the fleet to cater for all skill levels.

More photos at www.ncsc.org.uk/single-handed-open-23

Next stop is the end of seasons in November which we are all looking forward to and a high number of entries are predicted again!

Overall Results: