'...this shift or THAT gust?' A debrief from Round 1 of the RS21 Cup 2024
by RS21 UK & Ireland Class 1 May 2024 10:25 BST
19-21 April 2024
RS21 Cup 2024 Round 1 © Oli King
Hamble welcomed the RS21 fleet for the opening round of the RS21 Cup 2024. Round 1 spanned three days, with weather conditions ranging from 10-19 knots, offering ideal conditions for the close one-design racing that the class is making a name for!
The Cup featured a diverse mix; with new owners, old hands, plus a small smattering of ex-World Match Race tour competitors, and former International 49erFX competitors finding a home in a class making waves for it's Corinthian ethos. The offshore winds added an element of unpredictability, with shifting breezes and narrow gusts challenging the fleet. The closeness of the racing reinforcing the Cups standing as an event of "skill and strategy over equipment differences."
After 7 races the event came down to the wire in the final race, with three boats in the mix: "Zaddy, led by Philip Bendon, Nick Redding's team, and "5 o'clock somewhere." Led by Ben Rolfe. Despite the high-drama Zaddy showed control throughout, ultimately being the boat which handled the persistent shifts best on the upwinds to take the win.
A little glitter was added by Harken UK, who hosted the seasons first Dock Party on Friday night, providing refreshments, prizes, and advice to sailors. Another special thanks go out to the Royal Southern Yacht Club for its tremendous efforts in hosting the Class, including hosting the 'Crew Dinner' at the Club on Saturday night.
The RS21 fleet now heads to Hayling Island for Round 2, part of the RS 30th Anniversary Regatta from May 17-19. This promises to continue the thrilling racing and competitive spirit that marked the season opener, and with more events ahead, the RS21 UK & Ireland Class looks set for a successful year.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Nat | Sail No | Boat Name | Helm Name | Crew Name | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | IRL | 290 | Zaddy | Philip Bendon | Jon Jon / Joel / Demian Smith | TBC | 2 | 4 | 2 | ‑5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 14 |
| 2nd | GBR | 284 | RS21 | Nick Redding | Leo Wilkinson / Leo Wilkinson / Fliss Brelisford / Fliss Brelisford / Ben Bradley | Goring SC | 1 | 2 | ‑5 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 15 |
| 3rd | GBR | 315 | 5 o'clock somewhere race team | Ben Rolfe | Nigel Rolfe / Richard Watsham / Peter Chaplin | Lymington Town SC | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | ‑4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 19 |
| 4th | GBR | 298 | Royal Southern | Megan Brickwood | Steph Orton / James Ox / Hannah Morris | RSrnYC | 4 | 3 | ‑6 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 21 |
| 5th | GBR | 308/303 | 308 | Lizzie Judson | Sheena Foster / Pippa Jubb / Thomas Jubb / Carina Rickard | HISC | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 4 | ‑6 | 29 |
| 6th | GBR | 333 | White Oryx | Crispin Winser | Matt Glasgow / Tom Alexander | RSrnYC | 6 | ‑7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 44 |
| 7th | GBR | 167 | Sea Cadets 4 | | | Sea Cadets | (DNC) | DNC | 3 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 51 |
| 8th | GBR | 208 | Attabuoy | Philip Grannum | Tim Kendall‑Jones / David Trigg / David Trigg / Iain Coke | RSrnYC | 7 | 6 | ‑8 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 51 |
| 9th | GBR | 310 | TBC | Paul Ravenhill | Oliver Ravenhill / George Ravenhill / Henry Ravenhill | HISC | (DNC) | DNC | 10 | 9 | 9 | DNS | 10 | DNC | 77 |
| 10th | GBR | 163 | Sea Cadets 2 | | | Sea Cadets | (DNC) | DNC | 9 | 10 | 10 | RET | RET | DNC | 81 |
| 11th | GBR | 223 | Stormfly | Charles Balmain | Rupert Balmain | Hamble | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | RET | 9 | 9 | 83 |
| 12th | GBR | 252 | Dark & Stormy | Liam Willis | | Lymington Town SC | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | 91 |
