Results / Racing Circuit Event Draycote Water SC - 16/05/2009

RS300 Racing Circuit Event @ Draycote Water SC

The second racing circuit event for the RS300's was held jointly with the Phantoms and Solutions at Draycote Water sailing club. The early arrivals were welcomed on Friday night with a BBQ and a well stocked bar in anticipation for the now almost legendary drinking antics of the 300 fleet (which needed restocking after the first night due to an alarming thirst for Sambuca ca ca!)

Saturday dawned with a very gusty SSW. Base wind was a solid F4 with crazy, powerful gusts well described as a frisky, binary wind that caught a few out on the way to the start line.

The first race started on time in the blustery conditions with Steve Bolland showing a clean pair of heels to the fleet but being chased hard by Phil Underwood (clearly gaining speed from his sons success), Russ Hopkins and Chris Gandy. Steve was never challenged for the lead and Phil was in a solid second only to sail around the committee boat until he randomly crossed the line in 6th handing second to Chris and 3rd to a late starting Richard Le Mare.

Sunday dawned with a few more sore heads and what looked like a steadier wind but unfortunately out on the water it was swinging like crazy. Eventually it settled just enough to get into sequence. But as the first beat started the hail storm from Valhalla descended upon the fleet and with it a huge direction change round to the west. The wind increased to, well lots, meaning those on the right were reaching into the windward mark and those who went left were well and truly buried. The best reader of this was Mike Bees who must have been disappointed when the race officer abandoned and reset again. After the squall the weather finally settled and produced a sunny f3 to f4.
The wait was really worthwhile with the 4th race take 2. Paul Bowers made a great start and first beat to round the windward mark first with the fleet tightly bunched up behind. Ian Smith managed to pass Paul on the run and started to build a lead. Tim, Steve and Mike were chasing hard. Tim took the lead on Lap 3 showing great boat speed upwind for a fly weight, closely followed by Ian and Steve. The final reach was really close with a nice gust coming at just the right time for Steve to pass both Ian and then Tim to take another bullet. Paul managed to hold on to 7th.

Race 5 was another Bolland benefit with Steve sailing off to another bullet giving him overall victory. Tim followed in second and Mike in third.

With Steve Bolland having 5 bullets he decided to go in to hide from the next imminent squall.

This left the last race wide open to decide 2nd 3rd and 4th overall. Chris Gandy spotted the potential of a port flyer and managed to decimate the entire fleet and take a 15 boat length head start which he would not relinquish. Sir Barry Steel would have been proud of you young padowan.

This left the final fight for 2nd and 3rd down to Richard being able to beat Tim over the line. With a long run giving Tim an advantage and closing fast on Richard it was a very close finish with Richard staying high on the final reach to 'make the pies pay' and Tim soaking low with a peep peep Richard must have got the line by inches to secure second in the race and second overall by one point from Chris, who took third by 1 point from Tim.

Here’s looking forward to the Sprint champs at Rutland.