Record entry for RS200 Rooster Noble Marine National Championships

The final day of the RS200 Noble Marine Rooster National Championships started with heavy rain & no wind. The threat of thunderstorms kept the fleet on shore for an hour after the intended launch time. The poor forecast meant that the race team had put us ahead of schedule earlier in the week, meaning there was just race 10 to complete. The rain eased and the fleet launched with no real idea what the conditions might be in Hayling Bay.

A light but consistent westerly greeted the fleet; an improvement on every weather model prediction. The left looked favourable with more tide and better breeze. The teams in the podium hunt David Jessop & Sophie Mear, plus Tommy & Charlie Darling, gambled on the early start. David felt confident to keep pushing left but Tommy took the first header, tacked & crossed the fleet. The wind continued to clock left & Tommy never found a route back. David & Sophie hit the port lay and cruised in with a healthy lead which they held until the finish. They were followed by Arthur Henderson & Jamie Webb, with Chris & Nicki Webber in 3^rd. Arthur & Jamie stayed in 2^nd whilst Lee & Alex Sydenham took 3^rd after the Webbers lost a protest.

The champions Elliot Hanson & Martin Wrigley rested today, & although Elliot left for Gatwick Airport, Martin received the championship trophy on their behalf. 2^nd overall was Tom Morris with his crew James Crossley who also won 1^st Youth & Junior crew. Arran Holman & Haydn Sewell made up the podium.

The brother & sister pairing of Tommy & Charlie were 4^th for the 2^nd year in a row; whilst the winners of race 10, David & Sophie came in 5^th. Father & son, Lee & Alex Sydenham also left with a clutch of prizes; 6^th overall first Master & first family.

Other prize winners included :

1^st Lady helm & ladies team – Karen Oldale & Jo Hewittson

1^st Grand Master – Duncan Glenn

1^st Junior Helm & Junior boat – Ollie Meadowcroft & Emmy Walker

1^st Youth boat – Jamie Harris & Ellen Main

1^st Youth helm – James Hammett

1^st Loving Cup – Scott Wallis & Emma Baker

Top University – Exeter University

Top Club – Hayling Island Sailing Club

RS200 Person of the Year – Beth Matthews

Also a new trophy was awarded in memory of superstar coach Jonathan Lewis.  The John Lewis Star of the Year Shield was awarded to Juliet Kennedy & Oliver Dennis as most improved results for the week.

The prizegiving was held on the balcony as the sun set behind the club. It marked the end of a fantastic event & the biggest RS200 Nationals ever. Mark Wood and his race team did an incredible job to get all 10 races in across a varied range of conditions.

Some statistics from the week:

10 – races run

80 – marks laid

80 – flags hoisted

205 – volunteer man days

752 – wind readings taken

120 km – mark laying mileage

1,800 – tallies handed out

5,400  - results recorded an average of one every 4.5 seconds

Thank you to Hayling Island Sailing Club all the volunteers & the 364 competitors who made this event so special.