RS200 Northern / Scottish Combined Tour

The 2^nd www.jpwatersports.co.uk/ 200 northern tour visited last years nationals venue, East Lothian YC. The event was well attended by both Scottish & North of England boats. This lead to some great racing in the easterly air stream being enjoyed by all the sailors.

Throughout the wkend wave sailing technique was the key factor. Other race priorities were to execute a good start and strategy was vital in determining the Muppets at the front of the fleet, in what can be described as �Buckfast Sailing Conditions�

Discussions in the club after the great meal provided by Andreas the �Greek comic genius� chef were interesting with the eventual 2^nd place boat showing that his local strategy prowess was evident.

On to the races.

R1 1254 copied 908�s strategy from last year and started late but was saved by some phenomenal crew work to get back to 2^nd. 908 won with showing great SI awarness at the leeward gate ! Visiting boat 1369 Phil & Naomi Smith sailed well to take 3 rd from the buoy fishing exploits of Mark 1 leader R & T Miller (that was not the crews fault Ronny !).

R2 Again 1254 utilized its lack of starting skills to great effect to leave all the hard work for the downwind, but some how won now that they knew the course ! Upwind light speed, Jedi warrior 908 who sailed with sailing prodigy Joe Henderson were hot on their heels. They squeezed out Miller at the finish with some perfectly executed gybes to get 3^rd from the less fishy smelling non-lobster potter Miller.

R3 With the breeze going lighter as the day progressed Boatman�s upwind speed advantage became clear. Holding height rather than footing off seemed to work exceptionally well. Keeping the main on the centerline for as long as possible but keeping the boat flat were the biggest differences that could be seen on the water. With his significant weight disadvantage his height was simply phenomenal, a bit like the irn bru esk sailing conditions being enjoyed by the 140-boat limit at the event. This was reached at least a week and a half prior to the event starting, showing the class of venue.

Sunday again provided some great racing. With boatman again showed his upwind prowess. Topper legend Joe showed his class with some excellent kite trimming on the downwind legs to extend away from the chasing pack. Race 3 was the decider for the Scottish 200 champs, with 1254 luckily taking the bullet from the ever-faster Boatman.

Boatman�s comments prior to his matrimonial date regarding the weight of his normal crew were interesting to say the least!

Burns won on count back, �luckily� for Burns his crew sailed brilliantly all wkend and as a result won the Scottish 200 champs.

The next Scottish 200 event will be at Largo Bay on 25/26 June a must do event for any 200 sailors looking for a great sea venue. This will be followed 2 weeks later by the 3rd Northern Tour event at Derwent Reservoir on 16/17 July, which will have a bumper turnout at 1 of the best inland venues in the UK.

RS200 Northern / Scottish Combined Tour

The 2^nd www.jpwatersports.co.uk/ 200 northern tour visited last years nationals venue, East Lothian YC. The event was well attended by both Scottish & North of England boats. This lead to some great racing in the easterly air stream being enjoyed by all the sailors.

Throughout the wkend wave sailing technique was the key factor. Other race priorities were to execute a good start and strategy was vital in determining the Muppets at the front of the fleet, in what can be described as �Buckfast Sailing Conditions�

Discussions in the club after the great meal provided by Andreas the �Greek comic genius� chef were interesting with the eventual 2^nd place boat showing that his local strategy prowess was evident.

On to the races.

R1 1254 copied 908�s strategy from last year and started late but was saved by some phenomenal crew work to get back to 2^nd. 908 won with showing great SI awarness at the leeward gate ! Visiting boat 1369 Phil & Naomi Smith sailed well to take 3 rd from the buoy fishing exploits of Mark 1 leader R & T Miller (that was not the crews fault Ronny !).

R2 Again 1254 utilized its lack of starting skills to great effect to leave all the hard work for the downwind, but some how won now that they knew the course ! Upwind light speed, Jedi warrior 908 who sailed with sailing prodigy Joe Henderson were hot on their heels. They squeezed out Miller at the finish with some perfectly executed gybes to get 3^rd from the less fishy smelling non-lobster potter Miller.

R3 With the breeze going lighter as the day progressed Boatman�s upwind speed advantage became clear. Holding height rather than footing off seemed to work exceptionally well. Keeping the main on the centerline for as long as possible but keeping the boat flat were the biggest differences that could be seen on the water. With his significant weight disadvantage his height was simply phenomenal, a bit like the irn bru esk sailing conditions being enjoyed by the 140-boat limit at the event. This was reached at least a week and a half prior to the event starting, showing the class of venue.

Sunday again provided some great racing. With boatman again showed his upwind prowess. Topper legend Joe showed his class with some excellent kite trimming on the downwind legs to extend away from the chasing pack. Race 3 was the decider for the Scottish 200 champs, with 1254 luckily taking the bullet from the ever-faster Boatman.

Boatman�s comments prior to his matrimonial date regarding the weight of his normal crew were interesting to say the least!

Burns won on count back, �luckily� for Burns his crew sailed brilliantly all wkend and as a result won the Scottish 200 champs.

The next Scottish 200 event will be at Largo Bay on 25/26 June a must do event for any 200 sailors looking for a great sea venue. This will be followed 2 weeks later by the 3rd Northern Tour event at Derwent Reservoir on 16/17 July, which will have a bumper turnout at 1 of the best inland venues in the UK.