Fat Face RS300 Circuit at Milton Keynes Sailing Club

Wild conditions for the RS300s at Milton Keynes © Alan Lawrence

Wild conditions for the RS300s at Milton Keynes © Alan Lawrence

Wild conditions for the RS300s at Milton Keynes © Alan Lawrence

Racing Report: for Fat Face RS300 open meeting, held at Milton Keynes Sailing Club 1st/2nd April 2006. What to expect for the first race in an open meeting held on April Fools day? Well wind and plenty off it! A south westerly, blowing 4-7 during race 1, 2, race 3, 4, and 5, and then for the few to brave race 6… more of the same, with occasional peaks of 8½ measured on the clubhouse roof! Thirteen lucky contestants stood up to the mark, a home team of seven from Milton Keynes, and six visitors from around the UK. Other Milton Keynes sailors are beginning to believe that RS300s seem to breed like rabbits when their backs are turned. Paul Barker (MKSC) appeared clutching a thumb straight out of a cartoon accident – claimed he had cut himself badly in the week, and was therefore unable to compete. However he ran an effective training session for those willing and able. Others looked on, nodding sagely, as they thrashed about before the first race – oblivious that they were wearing themselves out! Quite a few reefs were in evidence from some of the players.

In the first race, Chris Morrissey, from Milton Keynes, blasted away ahead of the pack, with Cliff Shaw, from Stokes Bay SC, in pursuit, then Barry Steel, another visitor from Aldenham SC, in third. However by lap two, John Carron had passed them from an unusual fifth. Close on his heels was Mark Russell, also from MKSC. Phil Underwood (Cotswold SC) recovered from a slow start, working his way up the fleet, however unable to catch John Carron. The final result after much swimming and changing of positions: first - John Carron, second - Phil Underwood, third - Chris Morrissey. A wind eased very slightly in the second, but the fleet had been reduced to seven. Again John Carron held everybody at bay, with another second from Phil Underwood, Cliff Shaw, from Stokes Bay SC, claiming the third. A tricky start for Phil Underwood, in the third – meant he was squeezed off the line, pushing him back down the fleet. Again John Carron took the race – with Chris Morrissey holding second – and Cliff Shaw third. It was time to put the boats away for the night. After an entertaining evening’s social at a curry house in Fenny Stratford, racing began again promptly at ten. John Carron seemed unassailable, pun intended, with another first - Chris Morrissey, second and Ian Smith, Craven SC, third.

Then in the fifth – Cliff Shaw managed to keep ahead of the Carron machine, with a fine win. Chris Morrissey came in third. Everybody looked exhausted at lunchtime. Conversations revolved around – should we do another? – haven’t we done enough? But four rose to the challenge. Cliff Shaw took the lead – which he never lost – Chris Morrissey held a second, and Phil Underwood, and Mark Tuffnell (MKSC) took turns at third.

It was a trying, but rewarding weekends sailing. Thanks to all at Milton Keynes Sailing Club – Howard Astley- Jones for running the races with his team – the rescue boat crews – who never had a dull moment, and the Galley team – providing calories that we immediately ‘burnt off’.

Overall Results: