Noble Marine Allen RS600 Nationals at the WPNSA Days 1 & 2 - part of RS Games
by Jamie Mawson / Ian Montague 26 Jul 2022 16:58 BST
Day 1 (report by Jamie Mawson)
A healthy fleet of 21 boats headed out for their first day of racing in a solid 18-20 knots and relatively flat water - perfect conditions for RS600 sailing. With the line biased to starboard but the left side looking favoured, the sailors had plenty to think about in the pre-start.
Race one saw defending national champion George Smith first to the windward mark, going fast despite recovering from Covid. Next was Simon Hibbert in a recently acquired boat, then inland champion Jamie Mawson. George held the lead throughout, with Jamie passing Simon on the run to take second.
Race two saw a big left shift towards the top of the course resulting in boats planing in fast on the port lay line, pipping the boats coming in on starboard. Tactical experience clearly showed as the first two sailors both qualified for the recently introduced Grand Master category.
Scott Holland was first round followed by Ian Montague then George. Scott capsized on the run following a tussle with Ian, allowing Jamie to catch up. The order round the leeward mark was Ian, Jamie and George. George showed a master class in upwind sailing and was way ahead by the last windward mark, by which time Jamie had passed Ian. Final order was George, Jamie and Ian.
At the Allen sponsored daily prize-giving goodies went to day one winner George Smith, mid-fleet sailor Jamie Watson and endeavour for day one to Tim le Couillard. The fleet then had a busy evening of AGM and fleet meal out with the RS100s and RS300s at The Boat That Rocks.
Day 2 (report by Ian Montague)
Sailors arriving at the dinghy park were greeted by the wind whistling through the masts and for a while it genuinely looked like the day could be blown out. However a final black cloud squall blew through just as boats were preparing to launch and the wind settled to perfect conditions of around 15 to 18 knots all day.
The scheduled three races were completed, with perfect race management by the very slick WPNSA team.
Once again George Smith showed his dominance of the class taking all three race wins. Jamie Mawson continued his run of 2nds, with the only blemish coming in the form of an OCS. Ian Montague has moved up into third overall with consistent results. The fleet benefitted from the welcome return of Ian "Jubby" Jubb who despite not having sailed an RS600 for many months immediately found great pace to score a second and third.
In the final race the harbour was filled with what can only be described as a swarm of RS Fevas (nearly 200 of them!) emerging from for their later race schedule. This certainly made things interesting down the final run.
At the Allen daily prize-giving the endeavour prize was awarded to Bradley Field, mid-fleet hero to Ian Marshall and day one winner prize was rolled down to second placed Jamie Mawson, with wooden spoon going to Jamie Watson. The fleet then went for a curry together.
With a lighter forecast for the next two days things could get shaken up at the top and despite George's clean sweep of wins things are not quite all over yet.
Results from the WPNSA here