Noble Marine RS700 National Championship 2024 at Hayling Island Sailing Club - Day 1
by Robbie Bell 13 Sep 2024 13:38 BST
12-15 September 2024
Upwind fleet - RS700 Noble Marine National Championship, day 1 © Digital Sailing
Great to see a fleet of 27 boats congregate at Hayling Island Sailing Club for the Noble Marine National Championship.
A mixed forecast for the coming days meant that there was likely to be something for everyone, but with light winds predicted for Friday, the Race Officer and sailors agreed to try for three races on day one. The D flag was hoisted and the fleet sailed out to course area A, near Hayling beach and ideal for the forecast North Westerlies.
The RO and their team of mark layers, safety boats and other volunteers did a great job of setting the trapezoid course, with inner and outer loops, the RS700s destined to sail on the outer loop with 3 x 2 lap races whilst the RS800s would sail the inner course. Racing got under way in good time in a shifty 10-12 knots of breeze. Two distinct groups split the beat with half the fleet tacking early and heading for the beach led by The Punisher (720) and its helm Richard (go right) Wadsworth, and the other half being shown a clear set of heels by Rob Higgins in 1055.
Richard benefitted from a wind bend in shore and arrived at the windward mark first ahead of Robbie Bell, closely followed by Rob. Rob and Robbie exchanged places on the reach with Richard setting his chute and heading off on starboard, however Rob closely followed by Nathan Steffenoni gybed early benefitting from additional pressure. All were close at the leeward mark, but Rob pulled out a lead on the second beat and extended to get the first of 3 bullets for that day. There was plenty of close racing and place changing throughout the remainder of the fleet meaning that everyone had plenty to consider for the following races.
Race 2 got under way promptly and saw the fleet split once more, however this time going inshore didn't work, the bend had gone and those that went right, lost out to those that found more pressure and better angles on the left. Rob Higgins once more popped out in front (I'm told having been too far back to see) closely followed by European champion Matt Carter, they held their positions until the finish followed in by Czech Ace Marek Dudak.
After race 2 a big squall came through accompanied by rain and a right hand shift which saw a course re-set, unfortunately as the boats were in the final few seconds of the sequence the wind continued to shift and the RO postponed the start to reset for a fair start. Race 3 saw the most challenging race yet: pressure varied throughout the course with big shifts, holes and gusts resulting in snakes and ladders racing for everyone, except Rob Higgins who had his strategy nailed down.
James Bayliss (944) had recently dusted his boat off having not sailed it for five years and put in some good legs, but to be fair there were plenty of newcomers to the class putting in a good shift, not to mention Tom Playford from Snettisham and the significant showing from Dabchicks SC who all showed some real speed throughout the day. Race race 3 ended with Nathan in 2nd, Matt in 3rd, legend Pete Purkiss finishing in 4th, and last year's champion John Booth in 5th.
All boats returned to the beach and received a cold beer in exchange for their tally - very welcome after a tough day on the water.
Yet again the RS700 fleet showed there's some great racing to be had for all, in what is an accessible, affordable and great fun skiff, get in touch if you'd like to find out more!
Full results so far