RS 30th Anniversary Report
Published 13:00 on 29 May 2024
Brian Beavis writes: A belated well done from me to all those club sailors travelled down the harbour to HISC for the RS 30th Anniversary event last weekend; I had drafted my report for last weeks newsletter but hit save not send leaving it languishing in my draft folder, a senior moment, sorry!
With over 200 entries in many classes it was a great event. Sailing started on the Friday with a strong start with Ian Budgen battling Hugh and Helen Watson in the RS21 fleet, overnight standings were 1st Ian and 2nd Hugh; for the rest of our sailors racing commenced on the Saturday.
Saturday's winds did not deliver as forecast, it was a day of light airs, as was Sunday.
After a weekend of racing ESC's top performers were; winning the RS21 Ian Budgen, in the RS300 Dave Acres; with others putting in some great performances further down the standings. Well done all.On to the racing
Saturdays racing started under AP, committee boats and mark layers went afloat early too early to assess conditions on the water waiting on the wind, eventually releasing the fleets to their racing areas.
In light airs of around 5 to 7 knots racing got under way providing some challenging light airs racing. With a change in race organisation my committee boat was assigned to course area E for 700's, 800's 21's and Elites, so I missed most of our club sailors on the water, I caught up with a few in the boat park and bar post racing, the results were mixed.
Our top performers on Saturday were Ian Budgen battling with Hugh Watson in the RS21's each getting in a win; even on points Ian leading with the last 1st place of the day.
In the RS300, sitting in 2nd Dave Acres, 3rd Luke South and 4th Charlie South from the 9 entrants. In the Tera Pro Emma Gardiner in 8th, but my award for the day goes to Noah Chisnall sitting in 17th in a fleet of 52 boats, well done Noah. Back on shore the feisty Tera fleet kept the protest committee busy with 1 hearing on Saturday evening and an early start on Sunday for 2 more! With another day of racing to come on Sunday we're all praying for more wind!
Sunday morning started out with a northerly 10-12 knots, committee boats afloat at 09:45, but by the time it came to racing the breeze had become very patchy and fell away to 3 knots by the time we reached the racing area. The day proved challenging for race officers and frustrating for sailors, but eventually the wind came in with a steady southerly and racing got under way on all course areas.
In the RS21 Ian and Hugh continued the battle swapping 1st and 2nd places, with Ian taking the overall win.
In the RS300 fleet Dave Acres took 2 firsts and a 4th, placing him first overall, followed by Luke South in 3rd and Charlie South in 5th. In RS Feva Anna Sievers/Bella Pickup 23rd, RS Tera Pro with Ella Gardiner in 9th. In the Tera Sport Noah Chisnall 16th, Ben Jeffery 22nd, Noah Wyles 26th, Kipp Badcock 31st, Rory Butterfield 33rd with Samuel Jolley at 37th.
Overall a very enjoyable weekend on the water, well done all.
Following on from taking the RYA Regional Race Officer Course last November, the RS 30th Anniversary was to be my first experience of race management as part of a large event.
Working under the direction of International Race Officer Tim Hancock and on the water with experienced Race Officer Charlie Bradshaw and team, it was certainly an interesting and great learning experience. Much was learnt and I look forward to bringing that experience back to ESC for the upcoming Spring Junior Championship!