ENTHUSIASTIC OPENING FOR THE RS500 SERIES

Locals take the first title

A hot, sunny weekend at Burghfield Sailing Club provided a welcome start to the 2010 Gul RS500 Grand Prix after a cold winter of hibernation. Seasoned regulars on the RS500 scene and those who joined the class at the end of last season were all keen to get back in the boat. Everyone was delighted to see brand new faces in the class who had also discovered the enjoyable sailing to be had in the 500 class. 

Conditions were variable throughout the day with tricky holes in the wind to be avoided and a more comfortable force 3 filling in in patches and keeping everyone’s heads out of the boat. Adding an extra dimension to the racing was a group of islands in the middle of the course, which split the fleet as each helm decided which side of the lake to sail along. Although it felt a bit like a game of chance, there were a group of sailors who consistently played the dice right and were rewarded for their efforts. 

The first race opened with nine boats on the water - visitors Tim Wilkins and Heather Martin from Hickling Broad Sailing Club took the first win, with locals Andy and Liz Palmer-Felgate following in hot pursuit keeping Alex Taylor and Bryan Mobbs of Budworth SC in third position. Close behind were Richard and Sue Morley (also locals) in fourth position, while the rest of the class battled it out in some of the closest racing seen by the class.

Once Andy and Liz got into their stride they proved difficult to beat and they took the next three wins, winning them the competition, with Tim and Heather claiming silver overall, trailing one point behind. It was just as close for third and fourth position, but Alex and Bryan claimed bronze with a one point lead over Richard and Sue who proved they had good boat speed both upwind and down.

Many thanks to Burghfield SC who hosted a superb day of sailing with extremely competent Race Officers, while on land the sailors were kept fed and watered by friendly staff, and welcomed to join in for an extra day of club sailing the following day. The class was really impressed by the sailing club and we hope to have this fixture in the calendar again next season.

The class is looking ahead to the rest of the season as everyone prepares themselves for the first RS500 World Championships due to be held in Holland this August. No doubt it will be a close battle for the Brits and we all await the unknown challenges to be faced from 500 sailors who are in training on the continent.

ENDS

Next event: Yorkshire Dales SC 8 – 9 May