Noble Marine RS600 National Championship at Eastbourne Sovereign SC - Runners and Riders
by George Smith 6 Sep 2024 13:51 BST
12-15 September 2024
RS600s fleet © Digital Sailing
Next week sees the start of the 2024 a class="mkpartner" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.noblemarine.co.uk/?Campaign_Introducer_Param=Yachts_and_Yachting">Noble Marine RS600 National Championship held on the (hopefully) sunny East Sussex coast, famous for some proper sea conditions.
We take a look at this year's runners and riders which includes five former national champions!
Mr 360 camera, Will Russell
If you haven't seen footage of Will's exploits and racing on social media then you probably won't be reading this article! He has a beautiful blue boat, new this year and has been putting lots of time in, not least on editing videos. Certainly one to watch (during and after the event)!
Richard 'Turkey Pie' Smith
A former National Champ who spends a lot of time racing his Musto skiff. Sailed very well at the Eurocup this year and usually puts his practice to good use with good starts and boat speed.
Mr Silverhook, Mike Iszatt
Another new boat this year which will get its first outing on the circuit at Eastbourne. Rumours abound about a new colour scheme and that the mast may not be canary yellow! Prefers a lighter breeze but usually around the front.
Ian Marshall AKA Spidey
Another former Nationals winner who has been busy sailing one of his many classic moths this year and undoubtedly rescuing a few more. Wide wings and fast in the light to moderate and may have a surprise or two up his sleeve...
Andrew Peake
Last time out he used the early Nationals races at Stone in 2019 as a tune up and went on to win the event! Certainly rarely slow but maybe lacking race practice in the 600, undoubtedly will be at the pointy end of the fleet.
Jamie Mawson
Another former champ who is always there or there abouts and fast in all conditions. Fast in pretty much all conditions and a recent foray into Aero sailing at the worlds may have sharpened his race skills further.
Richard Bone
One of the Bough Beech contingent who's 1st season has been somewhat curtailed by injury and other commitments. That being said, plenty of trapeze experience from years in 49ers and 14s and good boat speed at times. Another one to watch.
George Smith
Current National Champ with a new boat that has proved itself fast since launching at last year's champs. May have spent most of the summer building a house extension rather than sailing so is feeling rusty!
Plenty of other sailors to mention, some now seasoned veterans of the fleet and others making their first foray into 600 championship sailing, with so many former champs and good sailors this year may be one of the closest yet.
As usual there will be Gold, Silver and Bronze fleets as well as the hotly contested Masters trophy and some great prizes from our sponsors. What's not in doubt is the warm welcome that will greet the sailors at Eastbourne Sovereign Sailing Club. All we need now is some weather...