Photo: Shona Branigan

Report from the Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club RS200 GUL Grand Prix and Bollé Northern Tour, Scottish Series and Borders Tour event

Despite the national news showing the North East of England to be flooded, 17 hardy RS200s turned up on Saturday morning to find a sunny and windy Derwent Reservoir. The race team had promised a gruelling nine race series over the two days and showed every intention of delivering.

Saturday’s racing was held at the Eastern end of the lake and the huge gusts and shifts made racing very difficult for the competitors. Matt Mee and Emma Norris opened their account with three firsts, holding off the challenges from Phil and Naomi Smith and Martin Boatman sailing with Sam Boatman. The 20 knot plus gusts caught many out downwind with a number of capsizes when the breeze came through.

Race four saw a big left shift and drop in wind before the start thanks to a nice rain cloud, resulting in a skewed course for the rest of the race. Phil and Naomi executed the pin end start and escaped with an unassailable lead. Martin and Barbara Smith held off the challenge of Matt and Emma to take a well-deserved second place. By race five the breeze had settled in its new direction with Martin Faulkner and Jacqui Taylor rounding first with some great upwind speed. Matt and Emma were back in command after the first lap and extended to the finish.

DRSC treated the exhausted sailors to a typically lively night at the club.

Sunday dawned with the breeze on the increase and white horses rolling down the lake. Matt and Emma managed to get the job done with another three firsts with challenges led by the Smiths, Adam McGovern with Jack Gebhard and Martin and Jacqui. Local lads Dan Perry and Steve Webb proved to be consistently quick upwind but boat handling cost them on the downwind legs. With the breeze increasing from fresh to frightening much of the fleet retired to the shore.

The race team, in ruthless fashion, started the ten remaining boats in 25 – 30 knots of wind. Seven finished with Phil and Naomi leading from the start to give them a well-deserved second bullet of the weekend and second overall. Neil Barrett and Sarah Morton finished off a solid weekend with a comfortable second place but this wasn’t enough to stop a consistent Adam and Jack pinching third overall on count back.

A fantastic weekend was had by all competitors and the class would like to thank Derwent SC for hosting such a well run event, and the sponsors Trident and Bolle for great prizes, and Gul for continued support.

Matt Mee