RS700 SnetFest 3 Rooster National Tour at Snettisham Beach Sailing Club

On the back of SnetFest 1 and 2, the third installment was eagerly anticipated with its usual mix of competitive racing, crazy tide times and a great social backdrop.

With most competitors arriving on Friday evening, the sailors had a great opportunity to catch up in bar to reacquaint with old friends and meet new ones ahead of what was going to be an early start the following morning. Despite it being the hottest week of the year, the temperature took a rapid drop overnight leaving the sole (tent) camper glad of his artic survival training and beer blanket.

RS700 SnetFest 3 Rooster National Tour - photo © Andy Bayliss

Race one

With the competitors eagerly patrolling the start line and circling the committee boat, the wind steadied from the West, built to a force 3+ and the course was set. The fleet got away cleanly and proceeded up the first beat in the glamour of flat water, sun and nicely powered up trapezing conditions.

Robbie Bell was setting the pace, rounding the windward mark 50 yds ahead of Richard Wadsworth and Thomas Playford close behind. The kites were popped and boats heated up to commence the downwind chase. At this point Richard realised he'd rigged his spinnaker sheet inside the shroud and immediately regretted being too lazy to hoist it before the race... sitting despondently on the rack wondering how he could re-rig the continuous sheet without dropping the mast.

Thomas came through to second and Colin Dacey and Pete Purkiss were snapping at Richard's heels. Robbie looked in control of the race, but was clearly not as in control of his boat as it appeared, as he fell in to windward on a tack and handed the lead to Thomas. Colin and Pete made swift work of Richard who was trying to re-rig his spinnaker, with Thomas taking the first win from the chasing Robbie and Colin.

RS700 SnetFest 3 Rooster National Tour - photo © Andy Bayliss

Race two

The course was tweaked to account for the slight Northerly shift in the wind and the fleet were released in similar wind conditions to the first race. First time competitor Andy Bayliss discovered what the knot at the end of the trapeze adjuster is for, as he lowered himself of the end of his trapeze and took an early swim.

Once again, Robbie looked like he was on rails and set the standard up the beat to round the windward mark first, ahead of Richard and Thomas close behind. Thomas got the inside line on Richard at the gybe mark to take second. As the lead boats proceeded up the right-hand side of the beat, the 'wind gods' woke up and decided they needed to change direction from the forecast Northerly; using just one force 4 gust to do so, which sent Thomas swimming.

Robbie, Thomas and Richard were now left reaching for the windward mark and Richard decided it was his turn to inexplicably fall into windward to let Colin through. The wind was now a solid force 4 and the boats thundered down the course through a challenging wave pattern from the earlier wind. Elsewhere on the course Pete noticed his lower shroud starting to unravel and headed to shore to prevent any untimely catastrophic failure ahead of Garda. The race finished with Robbie taking the win, Thomas in second and Colin in third.

RS700 SnetFest 3 Rooster National Tour - photo © Andy Bayliss

Race three

The Northerly wind had now set in and was now hovering around the 20kt mark, as the competitors launched off the line in the final race of the day with full kicker and downhaul engaged. Robbie was quickest around the windward mark with Thomas and Richard in formation. Kites were popped for display purposes, but nobody dare let rip on the starboard leg due to the short chop and confused sea state. Robbie and Thomas overstood the gybe mark which let Richard close up for the final lap. As the lead boats approached the windward mark for the final time, it was clear that the wind and sea state condition was now 'fresh to frightening' and anything could happen. The front three popped their kites once more... 'because that's what heros do' and blasted downwind in a haze of spray and expletives. Robbie was first to mark the gybe point with a capsize, followed by Thomas who marked a slightly different position with his upturned hull. Assessing the various options, Richard nailed his gybe to the dismay of the stationary onlookers and nursed the Punisher over the line for the win, with Robbie and Thomas bringing home second and third respectively.

Winners - RS700 SnetFest 3 Rooster National Tour 2025 - photo © Andy Bayliss

By the time the dust had settled and the sailors were off the water it was apparent that it was still only lunchtime! So after sandwiches and a few well deserved early beers attention turned to radio controlled model boat racing on the lake behind the club and some boat bimbling. The sun came back out ready for a glorious BBQ and evening of tall tales in the bar, with the strong wind forecast of day two being a hot topic. Richard's performance in the strong winds of race three clearly had Robbie rattled, who deployed a bottle of rum on the unsuspecting visitor at closing time...

RS700 SnetFest 3 Rooster National Tour - photo © Andy Bayliss

Unfortunately, the forecast strong winds came in as forecast and the competitors chose discretion and paracetamol over valour, so the previous day's results stood. Robbie Bell took the well-deserved win ahead of a strong challenge from Thomas Playford and Richard Wadsworth just pipping Colin Dacey to third (on equal points).

All the competitors had a great weekend and on behalf of the visitors I'd like to say a huge thanks to Snettisham Beach SC and their team for their incredible hospitality and race organisation. A big thank you also to Rooster for their generous sponsorship of the event. I look forward to seeing you all at the next event! The Euros are at the Riva Cup 29-31

More information here
The fourth Rooster National Tour is Dabchicks 5-6 July, information here

Overall Results: