Sailing Chandlery RS400 Southern Tour Round 2 at Bristol Corinthian Yacht Club
by Mick Whitmore 16 Apr 11:40 BST
13-14 April 2024
Bristol Corinthian Yacht Club hosted the RS400's over the weekend of the 13th-14th April for the second event of the Southern Tour, sponsored by Sailing Chandlery.
Five races on Saturday kicked off with a light one with the wind flicking back and forth, making for some gains for those who spotted the shifts. 2023 Nationals winner Edd Whitehead crewed by Karen Oldale took the first race after a close duel with 2022 Nationals winners Sam Knight and Chris Bownes, 3rd went to regular open meeting winners Christopher Eames and Rachel Tilley.
With Former Eurocup winners John Heissig and Nicky Griffin also racing it gives you an idea of what us who race to normally make up the numbers were up against. However, due to a small fleet, short races and the shifty conditions we all at some time over the weekend mixed it with the rock stars of the fleet. Sailing past Sam and Chris was the highlight for me, they were upside-down at the time but I'm taking it!
After a bit of a delay whilst the wind refused to play ball, the race officer "Arky" ably assisted by the legendary Ken Falcon managed to get another four races in a decent breeze with some lively gusts. Christopher and Rachel ending the day on top counting a
3,2,4,1,1 with Ed and Karen on 1,3,2,2,2.
Interest in the boat park after sailing was Andy Powell's brand new boat Pink Panther 5, with some really nice pimps and tweaks, launched with a splash of Pink Champagne of course. Andy and crew Chris Rolfe are really beginning now to close the gap and get amongst the action.
Sunday and some tired sailors went home and left the racing to us athletes - only joking of course! This left the battle at the sharp end between Edd and Karen and Christopher and Rachel. Counting four bullets and a second Edd and Karen wrapped up the win but had to battle all the way with Christopher and Rachel who ended the day with a 3,2,2,2,1. Watching these two teams at close range all weekend made me realise that there appears to be very little in boat speed between any of the 400's present, starting and decision making seem to be key. Being over the line twice myself and having to re-round on Individual recalls, according to my ever patient crew Sarah isn't fast or sensible, lesson learnt for the next event at the picturesque Salcombe. Hope to see you there.
1st Edd Whitehead & Karen Oldale
2nd Christopher Eames & Rachel Tilley
3rd Mick & Sarah Whitmore
Mid Fleet Hero prize
Peter Vincent & Chris Bishop
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Crew | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | R9 | R10 | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | 1541 | Edd Whitehead | Karen Oldale | Parkstone YC | 1 | ‑3 | ‑2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 11 |
| 2nd | 1528 | Christopher Eames | Rachel Tilley | QMSC | ‑3 | 2 | ‑4 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 14 |
| 3rd | 1548 | Mick Whitmore | Sarah Whitmore | Eastbourne Sovereign SC | ‑7 | ‑6 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 29 |
| 4th | 1356 | Peter Vincent | Chris Bishop | BCYC & Llandegfedd | 6 | ‑7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | (OCS) | 39 |
| 5th | 1504 | Sam Knight | Chris Bownes | Lyme Regis SC | 2 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 3 | (DNC) | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | DNC | 44 |
| 6th | 1502 | Jon Heissig | Nicky Griffin | Llangorse SC | 5 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | (DNC) | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | DNC | 44 |
| 7th | 1556 | Andy Powell | Chris Rolfe | Warsash SC | ‑8 | ‑8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 48 |
| 8th | 1020 | Paul Smalley | Anna Kerslake | Chew Valley Lake SC | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | (DNC) | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | DNC | 54 |