RS200 Sandy Shell at Hayling Island Sailing Club

RS200 Sandy Shell at HISC © Debbie Jarvis

Forget the Women's Euros, Rugby World Cup, F1, Cricket or Ryder Cup... the headline event of the year is the 2025 Sandy Shell.

A limited entry of 25 of the best sailors from across the world (mostly Chichester harbour) gathered for the unofficial RS200 World Championship. The format of 5 short-course sprint races would crown the most sought after trophy of the year.

Reigning national champions - the Darling duo, Charlie and Tommy, were eager to stamp their authority on the event crossing the line first but were UFD along with another sibling team JJ and Jess Hammet plus Dan Whitley and Olivia Stanley. With one discard for the series this proved costly. Geoff and Amelia Camm swooped in to win the first race of the day followed by another sibling pair, Harry and Faye Chatterton, then Tom Goodey and Richard Thomas took third.

RS200 Sandy Shell at HISC - photo © Debbie Jarvis

Conditions were gusty and race 2 saw a large dark cloud swerve around the race course bringing winds up to 25 knots. Zoe Nieveen and Ollie Evans escaped from the front of the fleet like they just had stolen the Louvre Jewels. In hot pursuit by the Darlings, Goodey and Richard.

By race 3, my legs and knees were already crying for a break but the awesome race team, led by Paul Hammet, made sure the between-race turn arounds were quicker than a F1 pit stop. Zoe and Ollie took another strong lead, followed by Jamie Harris and Ellen Main then Rob Henderson and Rebecca Videlo.

RS200 Sandy Shell at HISC - photo © Debbie Jarvis

Race 4 saw Goodey and Richard, speed upwind through the pack like a bullet train. Another 2nd for Ellen and Jamie followed by Dan and Olivia.

The competition was wide open going into the final scheduled race of the day, race 5. The fleet were recalled as most had figured the pin end was the best place to be. (Luckily for two certain sailors who were swimming at the time - can't remember who though!) Ollie and Zoe displayed excellent and clinical race craft, taking the final race win. Tommy and Charlie closely followed, with Owen Bowerman and Annabelle Orme taking third in the final race.

With 3 race wins in total, Ollie and Zoe took the Unofficial RS200 World Title. Tom and Richard finished second on count back with Jamie and Ellen completing the podium.

The evening was filled with Oktoberfest festivities, large beers and lederhosen.

RS200 Sandy Shell at HISC - photo © Debbie Jarvis

Until next year sports fans!

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