14 RS300 braved the basking sunshine and took the trip to Rutland for another fantastic RS Sprints. After a quick briefing from our race officer we were split in to two fleets and off to complete a total of 8 short races simply to find out who would make the gold fleet for Sundays sailing. A long day was ahead of us sailing in a fresh and exceptionally warm force 4-5 – other fleets assumed we needed to cool down occasionally, not that we were really struggling to get downwind…

Fleet 1

Fleet 1 was largely dominated by the ‘slightly less amazingly fit than normal’ Steve Bolland, that said Sheffield Vikings Tim Keen showed him a clean pair of heels in the final race of the day – does this perhaps show a shift in the Bolland Domination era – only time will tell… Surely he would show us all on the Sunday?... Matt Jenkins, also of Sheffield Viking SC showed excellent pace and even managed to keep the boat upright in some After 8 races Steve, Time and Matt went through to the Gold Fleet, just missing out a place in the Gold Fleet but showing promising pace was Richard Catchpole of Leigh and Lowton, a name to watch for future events no doubt.

Fleet 2

Fleet 2 was a far less simple affair – out of the 7 competitors we had six different race winners and everyone had at least one ‘shocker’… Paul Thompson (Coombs SC) and Sam Sutton-Reid (Royal Harwich YC) had the most consistent morning session and went in to lunch looking assured of a Gold Fleet place with ‘Young’ Harry McVicar (Aldenham) and Phil Bishop (Sheffield Viking SC) fighting it out for the 3rd and final spot… We’re still not sure what Paul and Sam had for lunch, perhaps they started seeing the Silver Fleet Cup and fancied a go at that – either way both had terrible afternoons leaving Phil to move in to first overall in the fleet with Harry second and Pete Ellis (Aldenham SC) knocking on the door of the final Gold Fleet spot.. Sadly for Pete Sam pulled himself together for the last race doing just enough to take 3rd spot.

Saturday Night

All I’m saying was its Mark ‘Sparky’ Newton’s fault for bringing the ‘Boom of Doom’… Suffice to say whilst Steve did manage to make it back to the car his event was over – perhaps the old master has finally got to the age where he can’t keep up with the younger part of the fleet – Coco’s with Barry Steel are called for in Pwhelli I think!

Gold Fleet

As mentioned there was no sign of Steve on the Sunday morning (or indeed all day on Sunday)… That left Keen, Bishop, Jenkins, Sutton-Reid and McVicar to fight it out for the title of Sprint Champion 2012.. After 2 races Tim Keen looked to be in control showing his typically exceptional off wind pace and taking two wins. Phil Bishop had other ideas working the shifts well upwind and downwind taking wins in race 3 and 4, surely one of only Tim or Phil could win this event? In steps Harry McVicar who had different ideas taking wins in the final two races and with that the event. Well done to Matt Jenkins who didn’t win a race but showed that consistency is also very important allowing him to take second place with Tim Keen left in 3rd.

Silver Fleet

The silver fleet was a tight affair with 5 different winners over the 6 races. Early favourite James Carnague (Aldenham SC) followed a race one win with a last in race two. Paul Thompson recovered from a 5th in race one to take a first in race two and three but that would only prove to be enough for a 3rd overall. Once again consistency was the key and the king of consistency in the Silver Fleet was Pete Ellis who won one race was second in four races and his worst result was a third. Second place was taken by Richard Catchpole

Many thanks

The 300 fleet once again had a fantastic time at the Sprints - we would like to say a massive thank you to Rutland Sailing Club for their slick and professional race management – 100 races, no hiccups whatsoever – lots of fun!