Results / Volvo Noble Marine UK National Championships Prestwick SC - 14/08/2014

Volvo Noble Marine RS300 Nationals

Prestwick SC

Overall

We knew it was windy when we looked out of the window and the seagulls were flying backwards. By the time we reached the club the Race Officer, Paul Gilmore had already ‘phoned the harbour masters at Ayr and Troon and received confirmation that the gusts were reaching 40 knots. Less scientifically, my hat blew off which tells me it’s definitely too windy to go sailing.

Thus, the 2014 Volvo Noble Marine RS300 Nationals finished with both the Saturday and Sunday races blown off with the final results decided on the 6 races sailed over the opening two days.

Highlights of the week? Almost too many to mention, but I’ll try anyway…

The absolutely impeccable welcome and hospitality afforded by Prestwick SC. The race management was exceptional and the final evening’s entertainment, a hog roast and comedy night, will live long in the memory, and luckily there are many photographs on the class’ facebook page to help us recall some of the more fuzzy bits. https://www.facebook.com/groups/55859303803/

The resurgence of the fleet after a couple of disappointing years in terms of turnout. The 36 entries is an increase of 80% over the last two years and represents over 15% of all the boats ever built.  A third of the fleet were attending their first 300 championship.

The ongoing rivalry between Dave Acres and Steve Bolland who have swapped 1^st and 2^nd places for the last three years. Fortunately their coming together in race 1 was settled over a couple of beers, followed by several lagers, some weird local concoctions and a final rum and coke in the early hours. Thereafter they shadowed each other on the water and in the bar, just how championship sailing should be.

Final results are below. Other prizewinners were as follows –

Apprentice (first RS300 championship) – Steve Sallis (Hykeham SC)

Youth – Pete Mackin (Bolton SC)

Master – Steve Sallis (Hykeham SC)

Silver fleet – Pete Ellis (Aldenham SC)

Fidelis (entered 3 or more previous championships) – Harry McVicar (Aldenham SC)

Lightweight (helm under 75kg) – Steve Sallis (Hykeham SC)

Biggest improver – Dan Treloar (Aldenham SC)

Team prize – Thorney Island SC

I’m sure the fleet will return to Prestwick before long for another championship. Before then there’s the 2015 Nationals at Dovey YC next July.

Many thanks to both of the headline sponsors, Volvo and Noble Marine and the other sponsors – The Boatyard at Beer and South Ayrshire Sports Council.

Report by Steve Bolland.

Alan Henderson’s full RS300 Nationals gallery is now complete at: www.fotoboat.com.

Volvo Noble Marine RS300 Nationals

Prestwick SC

Day 2

With a dire forecast for the weekend (well it is Scotland in August) 4 races were scheduled for day 2 of the Volvo Noble Marine RS300 Nationals at Prestwick SC. It was windier than day 1, 15 knots rising to 20 or so as the day progressed. With waves as high as the festival goers at Glastonbury it was going to be a tricky day. Like a midget at a urinal you were going to have to be on your toes for this one.

Race 3  and Richard LeMare, getting edgy as his missus was on her way up, took out a couple of boats on the start line allowing Duncan Jenkins and Matt Sargent to lead the way up the beat. Steve Bolland managed to grind them down however over the next 3 laps and took the lead and the win on the last run. Dave Acres and Tim keen also turned in good results.

Race 4 showed the benefits of proper championship preparation. The last 3 in the bar on Thursday night finished the race 1,2,3 – Bolland, Acres and LeMare in that order.

The wind rose in strength noticeably for race 5. The beats were clearly going to be as painful as taking a woman shopping, but at least they weren’t going to take as long. Bolland and Matt Jenkins went left on the opening beat and were 1,2 at the top mark with Matt Sargent just behind. Despite 3 more laps and some epic reaches these positions remained until the finish. Tim Keen put in another good result followed by Paul Rigg showing exceptional boat handling at his first 300 Nationals.

By the time the final race of the day started the waves had reached epic proportions and the fleet was looking more nervous than a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Bolland led initially from Sargent but Acres came through to lead by the end of the first lap. Bolland retook the lead on the second and final beat to lead narrowly at the windward mark. Downwind, Bolland binned it near the gybe mark on a quite outrageous wave. Sargent gybed first but Dave’s was a beauty, the Audrey Hepburn of gybes that allowed him through to take the win from Sargent, Rigg, Matt Jenkins and Neil Beveridge.

The post-race entertainment was typically Scottish, haggis followed by whisky-tasting and several visits to an amply stocked bar.

Overall, Bolland still leads from Acres and Sargent on 5, 12 and 20 points respectively.

As we look out at the race area ahead of day 3 the wind is howling and moaning like the soundtrack to a horror movie. Will we race, time will tell.

Report by Steve Bolland.

Photos by Alan Henderson/ www.fotoboat.com

photo no 556: Matt Jenkins
photo no: 594 Tim Keen

Results thanks to Chris Clow.

Volvo Noble Marine RS300 Nationals

Prestwick SC

Day 1

A glorious start to the Volvo Noble Marine RS300 National 2014 championship at Prestwick SC – a nice force 2 from the north west for race lt to a force 41 building to a solid force 4 by the time race 2 got underway. There was even some sun, actually quite a lot of it, and some large waves to add to the fun.

Dave Acres, defending champion, showing the benefit of a rigorous winter training programme, led at the first mark in race one followed by a whole gaggle of boats including Tim Keen,  Tom Whitehead, Steved by a whole gaggle of boats including Tim Keen,  Tom Whitehead, er training programme led at the first mark in race one foe Sallis, Duncan Jenkins and Matt Sargent, but not necessarily in that order. As the race progressed Steve Bolland moved through the fleet following a poor first beat and was on Acres’s tail as they started the final set of downwinds.

Separated by no more than a boatlength as they started the run they played cat and mouse all the way down this penultimate leg, overlapped for much of the time. Acres got water at the gybe mark with Bolland on the outside and initially going low on the final reach. Their tussle resumed as Bolland attacked half way down and the pair ended up way above the mark as Acres defended, as Keen, following on, licked his lips in anticipation of gaining a sneaky win as the leading pair headed off towards Troon.

After a coming together close to the finish, Acres did turns, Bolland took the win and Keen took second place, just reward for actually heading straight to the finish. Fourth went to Tom Whitehead and fifth to Matt Jenkins.

Race 2 was a lot easier on the brain. Again Bolland and Acres went quickly up the first beat and rounded first and second. The pair pulled clear as the race progressed and finished in this order, followed by Keen, Matt Jenkins And Duncan Jenkins, with the whole fleet enjoying the boisterous conditions and blistering reaches.

Getting ashore after racing proved to be the most exciting part of the day with the waves crashing against the sea wall, but a welcoming beach party ensured everyone got in safely. The fleet was then refreshed by cool bear at the top of the slipway courtesy of The Boatyard at Beer and doughnuts thanks to family McVicar.

Heading in to day 2 Bolland leads on 2 points from Acres and Keen on 5, Matt Jenkins on 9 and Duncan Jenkins on 16.

Report by Steve Bolland.