Noble Marine RS800 National Championship 2024 at Hayling Island Sailing Club - Overall

RS800 Noble Marine National Championship Day 4 © Phil Jackson / Digital Sailing

The final day of racing at the 2024 Noble Marine RS800 National Champs bore witness to a masterclass from the race team as they held their nerve to get another two excellent races in before the 3pm cut off. It meant that we were able to complete the full championship series and with it the curtain came down on yet another wonderful RS800 Nationals. An event filled with sunshine, better than predicted breeze and with good racing throughout the fleet, oodles of competition.

Race nine saw a flying start from the top three podium boats. Monique Vennis-Ozanne and Hugh Shone took a bit too long to come back out of the tide and handed the incentive to Tom Morris and Tommy Darling, and Rob Gullan and Tom Partington. As the boats blasted onto the reach, kites up and pushing for the wing mark it was apparent that Tom and Tommy had rigged their kite wrong. If they are reading this, please do check out the excellent Mozzy Sails RS800 videos on YouTube for rigging tips and tricks. Whilst Tommy did his best to resolve the issue, Tom and Rob shot off into the lead to take the win with Monique and Hugh nipping at their rudder stock. Meanwhile, David Brand & Matt Currell took an excellent third after a couple of boats found that they had been OCS.

Martin Orton and Ian Brooks on day 4 of the RS800 Noble Marine National Championship - photo © Phil Jackson / Digital Sailing

Race ten saw a more open field as the top three all departed for various reasons or boat issues. It was the Dyer brothers, Michael and Samuel, who took advantage to scoop up 1st Silver Fleet boat overall with a fantastic win to end the event in style. Bryan and Anna came home second to jump into fourth overall and David Brand and Matt Currell consolidated on their wonderful final day with another third. Always brilliant to see fresh faces battling it out at the pointy end.

As the boats streamed in back in from the Bay, all could feel contented having been spoilt by four days of excellent skiff racing, slickly run and well-oiled with some great socials. Curry house jaunts, intensely competitive beach rounders and a cracking 25th anniversary dinner where we all learnt more of the origin story via Nick Peters. Thank you very much to Hayling Island Sailing Club for a fabulous event. Thank you to our great sponsors Noble Marine, RS Sailing, Rooster, Spinlock, and Fernhurst Books.

Podium in the RS800 Noble Marine National Championship - photo © Phil Jackson / Digital Sailing

Many congratulations to Tom Morris and Tommy Darling for a superb performance to take the Championship at their home club. Rob Gullan and Tom Partington had a very credible go at dislodging Tom but ultimately came home in second ahead of Monique Vennis-Ozanne and Hugh Shone. This gave Monique first youth and female helm in third overall.

All in all a superb event that saw a warming mix of old faces returning and new races joining the melee. The class continues to offer attainable performance to such a wide variety of sailors and team make-ups. For those of you already missing the buzz of great RS800 racing, never fear, The Tide Ride is just around the corner!

Overall Results: