Noble Marine RS200 Nationals 2025 at South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club - Day 1
by Lizzie Cattermole 5 Aug 2025 11:28 BST
3-8 August 2025
Noble Marine RS200 Nationals at South Caernarvonshire YC day 1 © Outwest Images
The 97 boats arriving at SCYC for the 2025 RS200 Nationals were greeted with a hot and sunny pre-event weekend, to complete the final boat bimbling and pre-week chats. Storm Floris was brewing, and the question of whether we would sail at all on Monday was still unanswered.
Monday ended up being a relaxed morning, with an AP over 3 shown, meaning no racing before 3 pm. As Storm Floris kicked in, 56 knots were recorded at Aberdaron just down the coast, confirming we would not be racing until late afternoon at the earliest. The weather on the beach once the rain had passed was delightful, so the waiting game for the 97-strong fleet began. After a few hours of sunbathing, PRO Arky and his team called a full briefing, and after some wind and sea state warnings, one race was set for 5pm.
On the way to the racecourse, the wind was still 20-25 knots, leading to a few boats having a pre-start swim and a few breakages for the unlucky. After another AP, JJ and Jess Hammett set off as the rabbit, but were too quick for the chosen gate boat... Therefore, a general recall was needed while they swapped the gate boat to a rib. After a short wait, the rabbit was released again and the fleet quickly saw the ominous sight of the Goodey/Thomas and the Darlings crossing the fleet on port.
These two were not in the mood to be challenged by the rest of the fleet and kept the battling between themselves until the end. A shortened course was a thankful reprise for most on the second beat, and a finish on the third windward made the sail home a lot shorter. Well done to Tom Goodey/ Chris Thomas for the race win, James Morson/ Fiona Harrington as first finisher in silver fleet and Graham Tribeck/ Steve Jackson as first finisher in bronze fleet.
A shout out to the Duckhams winners - Alex Smallwood for snapping his mast while driving into a car park on the way to the nationals, and Ryan Robinson for deciding to sail the whole day without his bung in!
We will see what the rest of the week will bring!
Results after Day 1: (top ten, 1 race)
1. Thomas Goodey and Richard Thomas
2. Tom Darling and Charlie Darling
3. Ollie Evans and Zoe Nieveen
4. Brendan Lynch and Ellen Clark
5. Jamie Harris and Ellen Main
6. Henry Hallam and Ashley Hill
7. Jonny McGovern and Ben Whaley
8. Tom Ahlheid and Bee Nee
9. Merrick Stanley and Victoria Upton
10. James Morson and Fiona Harrington