RS200 Sailing Chandlery EaSEA Tour at Itchenor Sailing Club

RS200 Sailing Chandlery EaSEA Tour at Itchenor © RS Class Association

The fleet blasted out to Chichester harbour with a cool 14-18knots and bright sunshine, it could not have been a more ideal day. Though race 1 hit all the crews sharply with steep chop and the slight issue of trying to remember how to do windy gybes after the winter break.

Two close together gates marks added to the spice. Joe and Clara Jones emerged from some of the chaos to take the first bullet of the day, chased by Owen Bowerman & Annabelle Orme, with Mark and Jess Oakley swiftly behind.

Race 2 the breeze dropped off slightly and less carnage ensued, with a slight right hand track developing with the tide. Mark and Jess showed impressive speed to power away and convincingly take the win after a large right hand shift up the second beat. Owen & Annabelle rounded off their day with another second.

Race 3 brought a similar scene, with pressure chasing being weighed up against the favourable channel tide downwind, making for interesting criss-crossing downwind and tight battles. Mark and Jess once again emerged at the top, really finding their groove ahead of the new season. James Hobson crewed by Ben Whaley took the second ahead of James Morson and Fiona Harrington.

The final race brought a similar right hand track upwind with the more glorious conditions, as Paris & Marta took advantage and put in their best performance of the weekend to take a well earned victory ahead of Merrick and Vic, also posting their top result, with Joe & Clara Jones finishing off the podium to leave them clearly second overall.

Mark & Jess took a convincing overall victory and will be hoping to take their newfound gains into the season's racing. Paris & Marta's consistency and final win paid off for them to take the third overall and crown off a fantastic day of racing.

The next Sailing Chandlery EaSEA Tour event is at Lee on Solent on the 8-9th June, which includes the RS200 Youth Champs. See details and link to online entry.

Overall Results: