RS700 and Noble Marine UK European National Championships at WPNSA

RS700 and Noble Marine UK European National Championships at WPNSA – Overall

by Theo Galyer Aug 3 04:29 PDT
July 28-31, 2022

A good forecast of 20 knot gusts was exceeded when the RS700 fleet began to remove their covers on Sunday morning. There were 25 knots on average on the harbor wall and a few slightly worried heads were stirring up the atmosphere in the camp.

A discussion took place with management regarding the concern of an upward forecast. The main issue was the amount of security in place next to the space to perform a trapeze. After a suggestion to share an inner loop with the RS800s was made, a coin was flipped. The result was that the RS800s would do two races indoors with the RS700s only to go out on the same course after them. At this point, a few boats thought their time at the event was over and a few undercovers were produced.

However the majority of the fleet was enthusiastic and people got together with the firm intention of making the most of the last day. It was an eventful launch with a dead offshore. A boat decided it was going to launch without its owner before the end of the class! It provided some entertainment as John Lawson took to the water showing immense forward and backward swimming techniques. A rib in the marina took pity and saved John and his boat!

The race officer kept his word and put the RS700 in sequence very quickly. This was received with gratitude as the pound coins were visibly shaking the major peoples championships! The race started at a steady 20 knots, which had moderated from earlier and continued that way for the rest of the day. Theo Galyer had the committee boat all to himself as the bulk of the fleet sped down the line at high speed perhaps because of flag F. Matt Carter struggled to ride on top of Rob Higgins who decided to crack and pick up speed. Theo held a clear lead at the windward mark and held it for the remainder of the race with Rob and Matt in tow. Ben Cooper filled with rage after some tough points scored on Saturday comfortably crossed the line to take a 4th place. The Czech boat Michal Kotek, showing consistency, arrived just behind to take 5th place.

A few boats were timed and the Race Director got things going quickly. At this point the wind was more like 18 knots going into the 20s at times. Theo started the committee boat again while Matt and Rob were in the middle of the line. Theo tacked early rather than hit the lay line and it cost him dearly. Although he got around the first one, Rob was a boat length behind him at the top and Matt within touching distance of Rob. A fast kite from the front two meant a quick blast into “Death Alley”. The wind was blowing over the side of the warship. Theo didn’t like the look of the situation and decided on an early gybe with the intention of hiding behind Rob. Rob showing some concern at a boat gybing to port next to him came off the cable and immediately slowed down. Theo tried to park it, as eye contact was made it was clear Theo had to avoid the collision. A jibe back to starboard resulted in a capsize (well received by half the fleet of course). After doing the math, Theo decided to head for the shore with a smirk on his face. Rob and Matt clashed and maybe Karma was given out at the end of the race when Matt nailed the lay line and zoomed in with his kite to sting Rob on the line. James Clark came in behind with his second top three of the event, which propelled him into the top five overall and on top of that he grabbed the silver trophy.

Overall, the fleet had a great event at the RS Games and will be looking forward to coming back in four years! Huge credit to the RS team who managed to cope with huge amounts of boats in a very short time. Thank you to our awesome event sponsors: Noble Navy, RS Sailing, Rooster, Hyde and Fernhurst Books. Thanks to WPNSA for making us feel so welcome. And a big thank you to our awesome race officer Tom Rushbridge and his awesome team for putting on such high quality races in really tough conditions.

I personally want to thank Clare Sargent (RS Class Association Secretary) for all the hard work she puts in time and time again at the events, it wouldn’t be the same without her and it was a pleasure working alongside you . Thanks also to all the friends who have sailed or are still sailing the RS700, may the friendliness of the class continue for a long time. Good luck to Matt Carter, the new class president who is perfect for the job. I’m the one disconnecting for now.

RS700 Award Winners:

• Hyde Sails Spinnaker: QMSC Simon Hawes
• Endeavor Trophy: Fernhurst book voucher, Rooster cap: JMJ CZE Jiri Lassig
• Fidelis Trophy: Rooster Cap: QMSC Matt Conner
• 1st Bronze: Rooster Cap: YC Liskovec CZE Jiri Kuthan
• 1st Silver: Rooster good: Chew Valley Lake SC James Clark
• 1st Apprentice: Bon Coq: Hill Head, Stokes Bay and Castle Cove SC: Richie Thurlby
• 1st Master: Bon Coq: Brightlingsea SC Pete Purkiss
• 6th place: Hat of the Rooster: Brightlingsea SC Pete Purkiss
• 5th: Rooster Cap: Chew Valley Lake SC James Clark
• 4th place: Rooster Cap: JMJ CZE: Michal Kotek
• 3rd place: Bon Coq, Noble Navy Cap: Lancing SC Matt Carter
• 2nd Place: Rooster Voucher, Noble Marine Cap: Chew Valley Lake SC Rob Higgins
• RS700 National Champion for 2022: Rooster voucher, Noble Marine cap: HISC Theo Galyer
• RS700 European Champion for 2022: Bon Coq, Noble Navy cap: HISC Theo Galyer

Overall results: