RS200 open meeting at Parkstone Yacht Club

Race 1 - RS200 open meeting at Parkstone © Yvonne Foster

With a forecast for wind speeds in single knots, swinging in direction from for SE to SW, an overcast sky and high humidity, the RS200 Open at Parkstone on 10th June was always going to be "interesting", and so it proved.

Under the conditions, running the full four race series would be a challenge but our PRO, Andrew Hartley, and crew aboard the Ron Cox and numerous RIBs, gave it their best shot. After a short delay waiting for conditions to settle, the fleet headed out to the infamous "top triangle" in glorious Poole Harbour.

Although numbers were down a little on recent years the quality of the competition certainly wasn't and it would prove impossible to recover from a poor first beat. Race 1 and the importance of a good start wasn't lost on the fleet as they piled up towards the pin end resulting in a general recall. Up went the U-flag and everyone behaved themselves second time around although the pin was very congested once more.

Race 1 - RS200 open meeting at Parkstone - photo © Adrian Whaley

Those who chose to go right off the line, hoping perhaps to benefit from any shift in wind direction, regretted their choice. It was a case of trying to stay in the bands of breeze and middle/left was the place to be. Owain Hughes/Claire Walsh in 1741 were first round the windward mark followed by Ben Whaley/Lorna Glen in 1700. On the run, the breeze shifted, turning it into a reach for boats on starboard who were now able to roll those below.

Bottom gate and Ben/Lorna had slipped into the lead ahead of Owain/Claire with Duncan and Kirsten Glen in 861 moving up to third. As the second lap had become one-sided there was little place changing thereafter. Ben/Lorna took the win from Duncan/Kirsten, Owain/Claire in third and Hamish Walker/Emma Hivey in 1702 fourth.

The wind had picked up the nicely by the finish but this was not to last as it dropped back to about 5 knots by the start of race 2.

Race 2, final windward mark, where has the wind gone? - RS200 open meeting at Parkstone - photo © Adrian Whaley

Again the pin was favoured and this time it was Will Storey/Kate Allam in 1652 who came off best. They led round the windward mark followed by Richard and Paru Edwards in 1647 (having packed daughters Lila and Eliana off to the Oppie Worlds earlier in the day - good luck girls), Hamish/Emma and Jake Hardman/Abi Tuttle in 1151.

Another significant shift on the run saw Richard/Paru in the lead by the bottom gate followed by Hamish/Emma with Duncan/Kirsten moving up to fourth behind Will and Kate. Places remained unchanged up the second beat to the relocated windward mark but the breeze was dropping further and it would become a struggle to keep kites flying downwind.

The front three chose to set off on starboard gybe whilst those behind took the port option and headed left. This proved to be an inspired (or lucky?) choice as they were first to benefit from a band of breeze that shifted to the SW (at last) turning yet another run into a reach. Richard and Paru just managed to hold onto their lead finishing ahead of Duncan/Kirsten and Chris Catt/Emma Norris in 1603 who had both managed to sneak past Hamish and Emma.

At this stage the wind switched off totally and the AP went up. Being a pleasant day on the water the fleet were happy to drift around for a bit. Some rafting up with the anchored ranks of support/spectator vessels (containing a number of rock stars, no doubt pleased with their choice of craft for the day) who were enjoying a refreshing swim.

However, with the 4pm time limit approaching, and no sign of conditions improving, the fleet seemed to accept the inevitable and started to drift off in a clubwards direction. Despite Andrew's best efforts, Races 3 and 4 were not to be and three toots rang out. A short lived NE breeze (where did that come from?) helped the fleet return to shore to enjoy the traditional apres sail BBQ and copious quantities of cake.

With both races to count, the overall results were a triumph for "Team Glen". Duncan and Kirsten (bragging rights over her younger sister for a day at least) taking the win ahead of Ben/Lorna, Hamish/Emma in third and Richard/Paru in fourth. Many thanks to fleet captain, Stuart Totton, and his many helpers, and of course Andrew. In very trying conditions the races were well organized and the right decisions made - there are far worse places to bob around than Poole Harbour!

Duncan and Kirsten Glen win the RS200 open meeting at Parkstone - photo © Michelle Wilkinson

Overall Results: