RS700 rescheduled 2024 Inland Championship at Queen Mary Sailing Club

Winner Rob Higgins - RS700 Inland Championship 2024 © Elliot Booley

The RS700 Inland Championship took place over the weekend of the 15th and 16th of March 2025 at Queen Mary Sailing Club (QMSC).

The event saw a strong turnout of skilled sailors competing in a series of challenging races, with conditions varying throughout the weekend.

Competitors were met with moderate to fresh winds, ranging from 6 to 21 knots, with gusts reaching up to 23 knots. The prevailing wind direction was from the North East although with 45 degree shifts and gusts across the reservoir conditions were challenging. Overcast skies dominated the weekend, but the shifting breeze allowed for an exciting and tactical competition.

Rob Higgins of Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club put on a masterclass performance, securing five race wins and discarding a single first-place finish to claim the overall title convincingly. Behind him, Nathan Steffenoni of Weston Sailing Club sailed consistently to take second place, while James Clark, also from Chew Valley Lake SC, rounded out the podium in third place.

Rob set the pace early on, dominating the fleet with impressive boat handling and tactical awareness. Nathan showed excellent consistency, particularly in the latter races, securing second place. James kept pressure on the leaders but had to settle for third. Local sailor Matt Conner had a solid performance, finishing fourth, while Elliot Booley added to Chew Valley Lake SC's strong representation in fifth place. Further down the rankings, tough conditions led to some retirements and DNCs, but all competitors showed great perseverance and skill in challenging conditions.

A huge thank you to Queen Mary Sailing Club for hosting the event and providing excellent race management and facilities. Their efforts ensured a seamless and competitive championship. Thank you to Rooster for sponsoring the RS700 national tour.

Congratulations to all competitors for their participation. We look forward to seeing the RS700 fleet back in action at the Rooster National Tour event number two at Stokes Bay SC 5-6 April. Entry is now open here.

The RS700s will be racing their Europeans at the Riva Cup, Garda 29-31 May. More information here

Overall Results: