Rockshore / Bosun Bobs RS400 Winter Series at Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club - Day 1

Rockshore/ Bosun Bob's RS400 Winter Series at the Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club Day 1 © Lindsay Nolan

Arriving at RNIYC for the start of the 19th edition of the Winter Series, you were greeted by familiar faces and a few new ones.

A look out to sea seemed to confirm conditions that Race Officer Gerry described as being 'spicy'. He also politely requested that the fleet try to stick together to allow for easier safety coverage. After the briefing, crews of 11 boats finished rigging and tentatively launched into a short rolling chop and gusts creating dark streaks through the water along the coast.

All boats launched, but drama wasn't far away. Jake Millar and Rowan Berry capsized on the way to the start. This was the first of many for nearly the whole fleet. The first challenge was to stay upright ahead of the start gun. This was easier said than done. Tim Leonard and Grant Rintoul finding out the hard way, rolling on the start line ahead of the gun. The fleet then made it away from the line onto the first gruelling beat. Most boats made it to the windward mark apart from Rob Hastings and Rory Higgins who took their turn to test the water temperature.

The big decision for the fleet on the downwind was whether to hoist the spinny and/or gybe! Any hope for a fall in wind speed did not materialise. When we rounded the top mark and looked down the course we counted around 5 boats over. The newly paired Brian Holmes and Frank McFarlane thought that it was their day when they were passing a number of capsized boats for a great result only to capsize at high speed to avoid the assorted obstructions ahead. Positions changed many times throughout the race as a result of the challenging conditions. At the end of the race Jake Millar and Rowan Berry sealed the bullet for a very deserving win, having claimed four places on the second lap. Also notable in that this was Jake's first race helming a 400. Gareth Flannigan/ Knox Wilson and Patrick Hamilton/Sam Kelly took 2nd and 3rd. In all a total of 8 boats completed the race.

Winners Jake Millar and Rowan Berry in 741 'Kraken' - Rockshore/ Bosun Bob's RS400 Winter Series at the Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club Day 1 - photo © Lindsay Nolan

Around this time one of the crew's suffered an injury caused by their boat stuffing the bow at speed, with their head making contact with the mast. As this stretched the safety boat coverage and due to there bring no apparent easing of the wind, Gerry wisely called it a day. The fact that some crews were already halfway back to the club prior to this decision validated the call to abandon.

Once back into the warm cosy embrace of the Royal North Bar, stories were exchanged and notes taken. Looking around the bar showed what a varied and friendly fleet this is. Crews aged from the twenties to the seventies and those more experienced crews always happy to share their knowledge with those newer to the fleet.

Numbers sailing are likely to grow in future weeks as the series progresses as a number of crews were away this weekend.

I would like to thank the RNIYC safety crews who were fantastic in how they covered the fleet and were quick to help when needed in difficult conditions.

Also, many thanks to Gerry for his continued support for the series and sage head on the Committee Boat.

Lastly thanks go to our sponsors Bosun Bob's and Rockshore who make the series possible.