Class Association
It's now dark at seven o'clock and up in Aberdeen we've just had our first proper winter storm which must mean that it's the end of another season for the RS200 travelling circus. It's been a great season with some fantastic close racing at all 6 events. JP watersports, our sponsors, have done a fantastic job this year of issuing the fleet with swanky new rudder bags and "Kiss My RS" towels, so I'd like to say a genuine thank you on behalf of the whole fleet for supplying our prizes again this season.
This year's overall winner was Fiona Hall with a few different crews. How she goes so fast in the light winds we'd all love to know. Second place went to Graham and Vicki Tait (our new RS200 rep, good luck Vicki) and third place to Kirsty Lytton and Chris Perry. JP watersports also supplied an end of season raffle prize, a new RS200 jib! By attending at least four events you were enterd into a raffle and this years winners of the prize were Chris an Kirsty (thanks again JP).
So, to end with a story. During this years jubilee weekend the RS200's went to North Berwick for the Scottish Nationals. The sailing was great with lovely wind and waves to play with. We shared our course with the RS400's which has become the norm recently, and is great fun. One race was particularly memorable, it was the last downwind leg and we were pushed out very wide by an RS400. Finally able to gybe, we had a very tight reach to the finish line! Clattering along, only just able to make the finish, the best (but also worst) thing happened - a gust hit. I fell out the back of the boat but was still clinging on by my foot in the rear strap, that water was chilly! Rather than checking if I was ok my crew looks back and shouts to me: "Don't let go, we're coming second... we're NOT capsizing!" Our boat dragged me across the finish.
This story sums up a great season, exciting racing, thrills and spills and plenty of banter with the RS400 fleet too. Finally I'd like to say special thanks to Vicki Simpson for all her work with the class over the last few years. Thanks for all the encouragement, enthusiasm and of course organising our great little class.
Fiona Rigg
