RS700 SnetFest 4 Rooster National Tour at Snettisham Beach Sailing Club

RS700 SnetFest 4 Rooster National Tour at Snettisham Beach © Robbie Bell

Snet Fest 4 got under way with an early morning coaching session on Friday with Robbie Bell in a RIB and Steve Carr gratefully receiving individual instruction.

It was an early start for the travellers on Saturday morning, with the first race scheduled for 10am. The water and wind came in, and the fleet set off in Race 1. The light south-westerly breeze provided some tricky, marginal trapezing conditions. Tom Playford was showing good speed and held off Pete Purkiss to take the win from Robbie Bell in third.

As race 2 got under way, the wind began to die, but Colin Dacey showed good speed, but couldn't catch Robbie. The wind really went on the last beat against the tide, with only the first four being able to get round the windward mark. Tom finished third.

Race 3 was postponed, and we all waited in vain for the breeze to return. The water was disappearing, so we all headed home for a few beers.

The evening barbecue with the most glorious sunset (Snettisham Beach faces due west!) was wound up with a visit from Captain Morgan!

Sunday dawned with the prospect of four races. With a 10am start, the fleet set off with a good north-easterly breeze, allowing legs to be stretched. The first race (Race 3) got away, and gusts and wind shifts led to many place changes and tea-bagging mishaps. Tom came out on top with Robbie and Ian Nolan following.

Race 4 also included some snakes-and-ladders, with Robbie taking the win after Tom sat on his tiller extension and had to park while he fitted his spare, which was stowed inside the boom. Pete was second with Ian in third.

Race 5 started with Tom righting a capsize and Pete in irons. After their recovery Tom and Pete split from the fleet and went hard right, picked up a shift and wind bend inshore to lead at the windward mark. Tom stretched out a good lead to take the win. Pete took second with Ian in third after Robbie was caught on the wrong side of a massive shift and gust on the last downwind leg.

The course was now reset following the easterly wind shift. With the tide now firmly sucking out, overstanding the windward mark became an issue. We got away cleanly for Race 6 in a good breeze with Robbie pulling ahead and Tom and Pete duelling for second. However, Pete decided to head home a lap early, thinking he had finished, allowing Tom to take second with Ian in third.

Robbie Bell and Tom Playford had equal points, with Robbie taking the event on countback. Tom was second and Pete third. Well done Robbie!

All the competitors agreed that they had great racing in an outstanding location. The hospitality and race management of Snettisham Beach SC were exceptional. Thank you Snet, and our sponsor Rooster.

Overall Results: