The A W Accounting RS300 National Championships will be made up of a 12-race series, scheduled to take place at
The RS300 is a niche single-hander that demands a high skill level and is renowned for being one of the trickiest dinghies there is to master. Despite that, the RS300 is currently enjoying a spike in its popularity, and the record entry number set at the 2009 Nationals (33 boats) is not far off being broken, with less than 3 weeks until the start of the event.
Hanging over the RS300 fleet is the big question of whether anyone can topple Steve Bolland (Bristol Corinthian Yacht Club). Steve has won the last three RS300 National Championships in a row, and in 2011 won both of the Gul Grand Prix RS300 events he sailed, so will naturally be looking to top the podium at this year’s championship.
But it won’t be an easy ride. Front-liners trying to stop Steve making it four national championships in a row will include Dave Acres (
Meanwhile, Mike Bees (Brightlingsea) can claim many good RS300 results from past regattas and will doubtlessly be another force to be reckoned with. Mike has proven both his enjoyment of and skill in championship sailing already this year by winning the recent B14 Nationals.
The Scottish invasion cannot be ignored, and will also have much to impact on who eventually takes the victory.
This may be one of the smallest fleets taking part in the RS Games, but the competition will not be diluted. Showcasing its capacity as a class which accommodates all ages, the RS300 entry list has competitors from age 17 to the ever green Sir Barry Steel who has been a “tad over 55” for as long as the RS300 has existed!
Barry will also entertain the RS300 fleet ashore and no doubt some of the other fleets, as the RS Games social schedule will provide the opportunity for inter-fleet socialising. On that note, Mr Bolland is another one to watch, having huge potential on the social side of things, as proven the last time the RS300 Nationals were hosted at
