Please select your home edition
Edition
Rooster Wetsuit Range

Rope4Boats RS400 Southern Tour at Lee-on-the-Solent Sailing Club

by Sam Pickering 15 May 2023 12:33 BST 6-7 May 2023
Rope4Boats RS400 Southern Tour at Lee-on-the-Solent © LOSSC

In a sign of the strength of the RS400 fleet, 20 boats arrived on Coronation Day for a Royal Showdown at a very wet Lee-On-the-Solent Sailing Club, the third venue on the Rope4Boats Southern Tour. The forecast signalled for a rain all day, combined with a 10-14 knot breeze that was due to veer 40 degrees at around 13:00, coincidentally the start of the first race.

Race 1 got under way on time with the current holding the eager fleet behind the line. The left side of the course offered tidal relief but there was always the threat of the right hand shift to factor in to any game plan. Off the start, there was a drag race to the left hand side. Chris Eames & Rachel Tillie showed their speed through the sloppy sea state to quickly build a lead which they would not relinquish.

Temporary members of the 400 fleet Ian & Chris Martin showed their calibre early on and were quick out-of-the-box to take second; perhaps we can tempt them into a 400 more often? James Stewart & Sam Parker rounded out the top three with a consistent race in the puffy conditions.

The second race brought less wind and a slackening tide with the wind occasionally flicking right as if to signal its intentions. By this time, Ian & Chris had it figured out and got on with the job showing good downwind speed to win Race 2. Chris & Rachel were consistent again sailing a secure race into 2nd place. Steven Broomfield & Jenni Lewis showed their fabulous upwind speed on the first beat, unfortunately they drew the short straw and found themselves UFD amongst a pack of several contenders for the prize.

Local knowledge and the ability to sail fast through the Solent chop gave Neil Bevington & Alan Skeens the remaining podium spot for Race 2.

The final race of Day 1 and the tide was now in full flow driving the fleet over the line. This led to a number of recalls, and when the fleet eventually got under way the right hand shift was busy establishing itself, shifting the focus of the fleet on to the right of the course.

The Martins and Chris & Rachel duly showed the rest of the fleet where to go with the Martins this time getting to the line first. A chasing pack including Neil/Alan, James & Sam as well as Steve Norbury & Andy Hill had a tight battle with positions changing often. The local combination of Neil & Alan showed good speed downwind in the semi-planing conditions to again take a podium spot.

Day 2 dawned with the promise of an Airshow and possibly some sunshine. The wind and tide were in a reversed state when compared with Saturday's first race; some tidal relief could be found on the right hand side of the course but there was the threat of a left hand shift as the sea breeze established.

Race 4 saw Ian & Chris head to the right along with Sam Pickering & Emily Heath who had found a bit more speed in the lighter breeze and flatter sea. The two sailed in that order for the remainder of the race, although Steve Norbury & Andy Hill took advantage of a left hand shift up the final beat to cause some panic in the leading two and secure 3rd place for themselves.

Race 5 and the tide had now turned itself around again which meant the fleet were being pushed over the line. It took a few attempts and the wielding of the black flag by the RO to get the unruly mob in order. Once under way, the story was somewhat similar to Race 4 except Chris & Rachel had gotten off the line cleanly which inevitably meant they were back at the front.

Ian & Chris had great speed through the water to take the race win and secure the event overall. Chris & Rachel came in 2nd with Sam & Emily narrowly crossing the bow of Jack Munnely & Lou Hosken at the final mark to take 3rd.

With first and second overall decided, the remaining podium position was left to be decided in Race 6. Steve & Andy showed their intention and shot off into an early lead. This left Alan & Neil and Sam & Emily needing to find some gains to grab 3rd spot. The downwind speed of Chris & Rachel eventually showed through as they overhauled Steve & Andy to win another race. Neil & Alan sailed the shifts well in the dying breeze to take 3rd.

Further back, Sam & Emily managed to creep past a few boats at the last mark of the day to sneak into 3rd overall. One point separated 3rd to 5th places, a sign of the excellent competitive racing enjoyed by the 400 fleet.

Congratulations to Ian & Chris Martin who were deservedly crowned winners; maybe we will see you at Hayling Island for RS Summer Regatta & 400 Southern Championships on 24/25th June.

A huge thanks must go to the Lee-on-the-Solent Sailing Club volunteers without which the event wouldn't possible. Each year they provide wonderful hospitality to the fleet and great racing in the Solent. Thanks also to our series sponsor Rope4Boats.

Overall Results:

PosSail NoHelmCrewClubR1R2R3R4R5R6Pts
1st1538Ian MARTINChris MARTINLymington Town21111(DNC)6
2nd1528Christopher EAMESRachel TILLIEQueen Mary SC122‑4218
3rd1235Sam PICKERINGEmily HEATHChichester SC44‑723619
4th1532Steve NORBURYAndy HILLWarsash Sailing Club‑75435219
5th1377Neil BEVINGTONAlan SKEENSLOSSC533‑76320
6th1400James STEWARTSam PARKERNetley SC365‑98527
7th1489David SWIFTRob BURGESSWarsash Sailing Club67659‑1033
8th1192Jack MUNNELYLou HOSKENArun SC1188‑124839
9th1444Nick MARTINClaire DARCHLOSSC10998‑14743
10th1439Kevin PODGERHeather CHIPPERFIELDLymington Town811‑156131149
11th1539Steven BROOMFIELDJeni LEWISLymington Town9(UFD)101471252
12th1184Christopher SPENCEREdward SMITHHooe Point SC12121410‑161361
13th713Andrew READKeiron MCPHERSONLOSSC141311‑15111564
14th788Alex CORYAdam GOODACRELOSSC131013‑16151465
15th1487Andrew BRAYSarah BEVINGTONLOSSC15(DNC)DNC1112968
16th1422Bruce MILLSAndrea JARMANWarsash Sailing Club(DNC)DNCDNC1310469
17th1462Dennis WATSONNikita WATSONLOSSC161512‑18181778
18th1521Andy POWELLChris ROLFEWarsash Sailing Club‑17141617171680
19th1199Stephen PORTERJohn KELLYLOSSC(DNC)UFD17UFD191896
20th765Andy NICOLLGuy HALFORDOxford SC(DNS)DNCDNC192019100

Related Articles

Rockshore / Bosun Bobs RS400 Winter Series Week 7
Penultimate week brings classic winter racing conditions to Belfast Lough The penultimate week of the Rockshore Bosun Bobs RS400 Winter Series brought classic winter racing conditions to Belfast Lough. A steady 10–12 knots of breeze kept the 14-boat fleet on their toes, with occasional stronger gusts adding to the excitement. Posted on 16 Dec
Sailing Chandlery RS400 Southern Tour Overall
Tom Halhead and Paul Hilliar of Llandegfedd SC win the title A consistent performance across inland and coastal venues, and in varying wind conditions, delivered an excellent series of results to give Tom Halhead and Paul Hilliar of Llandegfedd SC the Sailing Chandlery RS400 Southern Tour Champions title. Posted on 3 Dec
Rockshore / Bosun Bobs RS400 Winter Series Week 5
Thankfully all boats were found safe and well after Storm Bert The Bosun Bob's/Rockshore sponsored RS400 series resumed this Sunday at RNIYC Cultra after the loss of week 4 of the series to Storm Bert. Thankfully all boats were found safe and well where they had been tied down. Posted on 2 Dec
Stewart Brewing RS400 Scottish Tour 2024 Summary
A season of some variety 2024 has drawn to a close for the RS400 Scottish Tour after a season of some variety. 11 boats, representing 7 clubs, partook across 7 events. Of those boats there were plenty of the well-known regulars, and a few fresh new faces. Posted on 23 Nov
RS400 Rooster National Tour overall
Another strong year with almost 70 boats attending The premature end of this year's season, due to the End of Seasons being cancelled sees Ian Martin & Various (Emma Clarke, Chris Martin, Jon Pinner) being crowned the Rooster National Tour champions for 2024! Posted on 19 Nov
Rockshore / Bosun Bobs RS400 Winter Series Week 3
Committee boat wastes no time in getting the black flag out Sunday 17th of November brought a cool NW 13-18kts. Gerry and his team set a perfect windward leeward and rattled off three races. Race1 was a general recall and the committee boat wasted no time in getting the black flag out. Posted on 18 Nov
Rockshore / Bosun Bobs RS400 Winter Series Week 2
We didn't half need our sunglasses! Day Two of the Frostie Series for the RS400s and the weather forecast didn't disappoint. We hadn't seen sunshine in nearly three weeks and it came out and we didn't half need our sunglasses. Posted on 12 Nov
Rockshore / Bosun Bobs RS400 Winter Series Week 1
The sixteen boat fleet was greeted with a glass like sea Now in its 18th year, RS400 winter series continues to grow from strength to strength. The 2024 event welcomes the return of class stalwart Dave Cheyne, sailing with Susan McKnight. Posted on 5 Nov
Rockshore / Bosun Bobs RS400 Winter Series Preview
18th year of the event starts this Sunday at Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club It doesn't seem that long ago since the last Rockshore / Bosun Bobs RS400 Winter Series at Royal North. This ever-popular winter sailing event returns next Sunday, running for eight weeks through to 22nd December including the infamous Christmas Race. Posted on 29 Oct
RS400 Northern Tour 2024
Chris Pickles and Matt Sharman win for the second year running For the second year running congratulations go to Chris Pickles and Matt Sharman for winning the 2024 RS400 Trident UK Northern Tour, though it was a close-run thing, and all top 6 positions were settled at the final event of the season. Posted on 26 Oct