RS100 Class Association Training at Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club

RS100 Class Association Training at Chew - Matt Scott leading away at a start © CVLSC

Twelve enthusiastic RS100 sailors turned up to that rare event of a sunny warm weekend with a good breeze. They came to fine tune their sailing skills and to learn a few secrets from some of the class self styled 'experts'.

From Chew the training team included class chairman David Smart, who has a reputation of banging corners (unjustified in my view). He was ably assisted by the Jones brothers, who claim never to receive outside assistance from their father Frank (The Bosun) Jones. They were helped by Mark Harrison, well known as an on the water judge for the RS200s. He therefore knows the rules well. Whether he follows them himself is open to debate.

RS100 Class Association Training at Chew - Tom Hirst showing good downwind technique - photo © CVLSC

The morning focused on boat speed and boat handling. It included one exercise that was good, but not loved! The Gut Buster. It included 6 tacks to the windward mark, including a full 360 on the way. Then hoist, 3 gybes, drop 360, hoist 3 gybes and finish. A good workout on a short course.

After some rules discussion over lunch, the afternoon involved lots of start practice and some short races.

RS100 Class Association Training at Chew - Mark Harrison demonstrating capsize technique. Pity it wasn’t planned! - photo © CVLSC

Most people stayed for the club racing on Sunday, where the skills learned on Saturday were tested to the limit. Especially with four sprint type races in the afternoon when the wind had picked up. Tougher than a Gut buster.

Thank you to everyone for attending and we hope to see you on the circuit during the year.

RS100 Class Association Training at Chew - Steve Jones playing catch up - photo © CVLSC