Sailboat Deliveries RS600 Garda EuroCup 2024 at Fraglia Vela Riva

Most of us arrived a couple of days early and were greeted by a row of 600s lined up in front of the slipway. Jubby, (Ian Jubb) of Sailboat Deliveries both sponsoring the event and having transported the majority of boats for us with a total of 17 RS600s.

On Monday and Tuesday we got out for classic Garda afternoon sails, with some of us trying to shake some 600 sailing rust off...

RS600 Garda EuroCup 2024 at Fraglia Vela Riva - photo © Natalie Smith

Wednesday was the unofficial long distance practice race, named The Everest, in honour of RS600 designer Clive Everest, with Jubby having reconnoitre the course finding three tiny marks, each about 5 metres from shore on the west bank pretty much opposite Malcesine, east bank at Torbole then a finish mark back at Riva. Much fun was had in possibly the strongest wind of the week with Richard Smith, George Smith then Ian Marshall taking line honours. In the evening we all attended a fantastic group meal with the inevitable "boom of doom" shot shenanigans.

Thursday 30th May - 3 races scheduled

Our course for the week was a trapezoid for all races with the 40 strong fleet of 505s doing a windward / leeward course. There were also two fleets of small German keelboats sharing the course.

RS600 Garda EuroCup 2024 at Fraglia Vela Riva - photo © Natalie Smith

Unfortunately, with storms overnight and some rain in the morning, the magical "Ora" breeze didn't materialise. The race officer was however keen on getting at least one in and sent us out. In the fickle breeze that did show up, Jamie Mawson was leading, but it didn't last long before the wind failed and it was abandoned with us being set home.

Friday 31st May

The forecast was again sketchy, waking up to thunder and lightning with the possibility of more storms throughout the day. After a short postponement we were sent out to find a strong and shifty Northerly breeze.

RS600 Garda EuroCup 2024 at Fraglia Vela Riva - photo © Natalie Smith

Three races were held with the breeze progressively weakening in the final race. Race 1 started with Jamie Watson misjudging the start line and ending up having a very generous start. Others were left wondering if they should get started. On the go, Paul Bayliss disappeared into the distance leaving everyone stunned at just how quick he was considering it's been a long time since his 600 days. However it was short lived after getting the course a bit wrong and a quick capsize! After the first race, everyone was getting familiar with the amazing Garda conditions and the racing was getting tight with loads of position changes. However, George came through with great speed, figuring out the wind bands and shifts leaving him with 3 first places at the end of the day.

Others of note:

Matt Banbrook, 19 years old and only been sailing the 600 less than a year. He looks like one to keep an eye on, taking second place from Richard on the final reach of the first race.
Jamie Mawson showed his intent after a poor first race, following with a fourth and second.
Will Russell was very tidy with three good scores leaving him in second place overnight.
There was a lot to be determined going into the final day with many close on points!

RS600 Garda EuroCup 2024 at Fraglia Vela Riva - photo © Natalie Smith

Saturday 1st June

The sun was out and all looked set for a great day. The race officer got one race in before the morning Northerly breeze died. George managed to get across the finish line as it started to switch direction with the rest of us slowly crossing the line with the start of the Southerly wind. We then bobbed about for about an hour before the afternoon Southerly arrived.

The first race of the day was a tight affair between George and Richard with Richard being overtaken when he overstood the windward mark. As the race progressed, the wind got lighter with the light wind experts showing us how it was done. Jamie Mawson made some huge gains to get himself into 4th after a slow first lap.

In races two and three, the cliffs were the way to go with us all heading towards them from the Committee boat. Jamie had great pace both up and downwind to secure first from Ian Marshall, then George, (the only time George was displaced).

RS600 Garda EuroCup 2024 at Fraglia Vela Riva - photo © Natalie Smith

In the final race of the event, The start line was set with a big pin bias. Jamie, Jubby and Richard started on port with much whooping from Jubby. We'd have loved to have crossed the fleet but they didn't play ball as all had tacked on to port at the other end to head to the cliffs. The three of us were looking great until the committee boat enders hooked into the big breeze near the shore, tacked and were lifted to the mark. George took this one from Jamie.

Our race officer certainly knew his stuff, managing to get quality racing in by getting us to the course at the most suitable times. Thanks also to Fraglia Vela Riva for letting us join the event, we'd love to return in the future!

RS600 Garda EuroCup 2024 at Fraglia Vela Riva - photo © Natalie Smith

First: George Smith, very well-done George on a comprehensive victory.
Second: Jamie Mawson
Third: Richard Smith
Youth Prize: Matt Banbrook, very solid, finishing in fourth overall
Master: Paul Bayliss, over from Perth in a charter boat, (hopefully we'll see him again).
Grand Master: Richard Smith, with moments of incompetence and ability in equal measures. He'll hang around for a bit.

Finally, thank you so much Ian Jubb. Without his ambition and persistence it would have never happened. We have all certainly enjoyed a great week of racing and socialising at the beautiful Riva Del Garda with all it has to offer. We look forward to returning in the future.

Overall Results: