RS Open Reports and Results
RS Open - 700s at LTSC
Written by Dee Flanagan Thursday, 13 May 2010 07:46
A mix of old and new faces turned up at Lymington for the latest in the RS700 Gul series, for what turned out to be an excellent weekend of sailing with something for everyone.
Race 1 started as the tide was turning, but Jon Heissig went furthest over to the rain cloud on the mainland shore to build a winning lead, followed by a Rob Jones, Jerry Wales and Chris Aston in a close group. The wind eased to marginal trapezing for race 2, with lots of gusts and holes giving many opportunities to win and lose places while risking the tidal benefits. Heissig again got clear to win, followed by Wales, James Ross and Jones. The rain and wind came in properly for a cold race 3, resulting in a lot of swimming at the end of the first run. Wales rocketed off at great speed to comfotably win, followed by Ross, Ian Nolan and Aston.
Sunday seemed little warmer, but winds were light and with the tide reducing the pressure even further. Tony Dencher horizoned the fleet, getting the balance between tide and wind shift / pressure just right. There was a lengthy battle for second, ultimately taken by Wales beating Heissig, Ross and Jones. People were getting the hang of the shifts now, and race 5 probably had 5 leaders simultaneously up one beat. As the breeze started picking up a little more Heissig just pulled through at the finish after a long four laps, ahead of Mark Pollington, Dencher and Wales.
With the breeze looking as though it would stay up the excellent race officer decided on another four lapper. Ross, Wales and Heissig arrived at the windward mark together and swapped positions for virtually the whole race. Heissig ultimately gybed out early and found more wind, escaping the close cover of Ross, and headed off to win the event. Junis Rindermark got the downwind legs to match his upwind efforts to come in fourth. The wind had increased to force 4 to 5 giving everyone a superb final lap, and it was noticeable how the standard in the fleet had improved by racing together and having the space to get the boat going properly without a wall in the way. Many thanks are due to the club ane the army of volunteers who helped the event run so smoothly.
Next event is Gurnard, where a warm welcome awaits and excellent sailing is virtually guaranteed.
RS Open - 600s at LTSC
Written by James Thursday, 13 May 2010 07:46
May 8/9 saw the second Gul RS600 Grand Prix event at Lymington Town Sailing Club. With 13 600 sailors competing it was going to make for some good racing.
Race 1 saw lots over the line due to the tide while Jon Bradbury tried a port flyer and failed and capsized shortly after, he saw the fleet pull away. Andy Hessing pulled out a respectable lead, but capsized at the leeward mark with one lap to go that saw James and Peter fight it out for first. James came out on top with a bit of confusion from a few of the boats at the top thinking they had another lap this let a couple of boats grab a decent result, including Alan grabbing a second place and Peter a 3rd place.
Race 2 everyone got underway this time with no problem with the wind slightly up with a weather front coming through it was hard to pinpoint the windward mark and the tide still coming in saw most of the fleet overstand the mark leaving it closely fought on the second lap but again with some people missing the finish line victory went to Alan Williams winning his first race in the 600. Guy Lonsdale came second and James 3rd.
Race 3 saw the wind fill in even more and Steve B leading the fleet. After pulling out quite a good lead this was eaten into buy a couple of boats including James S and Jason Rickards.
As the day ended it was still pretty open at the the top so a few of us went back to the local camp site and set the tents and start a fire to have a beer next to but some of the 600 fleet just can't be trusted - isn’t that right Mr Bradbury?!
Race 4 tide was going out and not a lot of wind was going to see a slow beat to the first mark, as the gun went some went right and some went left out of the tide although it was very shifty going inland it defiantly paid off. James Sainsbury again pulled a big lead out on the fleet again it was all closely fought around the track on the last upwind leg James capsized but still managing to keep his lead, he then made another mistake by not accounting for the tide so having to tack to make the line but he was so far in front he kept his lead with Alan still true to form grabbing a second and Peter a 3rd
Race 5 the start again produced a bit of carnage with James Sainsbury having some trouble on the line with a couple of others. This saw Steve Birbeck take the lead, he capsized half way up the first beat but still managing to keep his lead but he had James again fighting for first place showing his true pace downwind he took the lead to win with Andy showing some of his previous boat handling skills stealing second place from Steve leaving Steve 3rd.
Race 6 so it was all to play for the top 4 boats Andy Hessing pulled out a good lead after the first lap but again james Sainsbury and Birbeck showing there speed and pulling away from the rest of the fleet so this left Andy, Steve and James to battle it out for first place. Again James Sainbury showed good pace downwind, which saw him grab and keep the lead from Andy.
Thank you to LTSC for some great racing and a great event look forward to next year.
