Six RS300's made it to Pennine SC, for the final round of the Fat Face RS300 series. Originally scheduled to be held at Glossop & District SC, our thanks must go to Pennine SC, who generously stepped in as a replacement venue due to problems with a lack of water at Glossop. Competitors were greeted by positively autumnal conditions, with an ambient temperature of 14degrees and a chilly Force 4-5 northerly wind. Race 1 saw Tim Keen (Sheffield Viking SC) and Ian Smith in his A rigged boat ( Craven SC) break free from the fleet early on the first beat, only to be pipped to the windward mark by Greg Barton (Glossop & District SC) who started on port. Barton promptly capsized at the first available opportunity on the first downwind leg, allowing the whole fleet past, apart from Mark Henman (Sunderland SC) who performed a similar manouver and ended up in the drink. Keen broke free at the front and at the halfway stage seemed to be disappearing over the horizon. However, as the wind b uilt during the race, Barton charged through the fleet eventually stealing second from Smith at the final leward mark, with Keen taking the win. For Race 2, the wind was consistently at the top end of a F4, which allowed Barton to power away from the lighter sailors upwind and dominate the race, with Sam Sutton (Leigh & Lowton) putting in an excellent performance to take 3rd, with Keen 2nd Race 3 looked like a repeat performance with Barton breaking free early on the first beat and taking a handsome lead round the windward mark, with Keen, Smith and Barry Steel (Aldenham) all rounding in close company, until a total wipeout on a gybe allowed Keen, Smith and Sutton past. However the higher wind speed allowed him to swiftly catch and pass the leaders to take his second victory. Day 2 took place in slightly lighter winds (F2-3) but under even more leaden skies. Keen, fresh from a decent nights sleep for the first time in a week started the 4th race strongly, leading the early sta ges of the beat with Barton, Smith and Steel all battling towards the windward mark. Barton somehow squeezed through in the lead at the windward mark and took a lead that would never be challenged. The legendary Barry Steel looked set for a great result in the second race of the day but unfortunately lost a great deal of ground due to a violent capsize on the downwind leg. The fifth race of the weekend was the closest of the meeting yet. Sutton made a stunning port tack through the middle of the fleet and rounded the windward mark in second place, right behind Barton and leading from Keen and Smith with Steel and Henman in close company. Keen kept the pressure on Barton throughout the race in the knowledge that one more win would clinch overall victory for Barton. However, lady luck shined upon the leader and the wind built up again, allowing Barton to break away on the beat and build a lead which he held until the end of the race, with Keen and Smith closing in rapidly towards the end The final race started after a swift tea break. Barton, Smith and Keen rounded the windward mark close together with Steel and Henman sparring throughout the race for 4th place. Smith blasted past Barton at the gybe mark and led up to the beat, however his lead was short lived, as Barton used his superior upwind boatspeed to take back the lead which was defended from Smith throughout the race, with the lead never being stretched beyond a few boatlengths. Overall Barton took victory an d also won the Northern Series, from Keen, Smith, Sutton, Steel and Henman. Our thanks to Fat Face for their generous sponsorship of the series and to all at Pennine SC for their generous hospitality.