Congratulations to Edd Whitehead and Ben Whaley, Noble Marine RS400 National Champions 2024!

After a magnificent week at Royal Torbay Yacht Club, Edd Whitehead and Ben Whaley were crowned Noble Marine RS400 National Champions 2024.

In what is being cited as ‘one of the most testing weeks’ in the RS400 class’s 30 year history, the results from this incredibly high profile fleet look like a who’s who of sailing, with a  huge battle right down to the last day for a place in the top 10. In the end Ian and Chris Martin showed enough consistency to come in 2^nd, ahead of first Master Jon Gorringe, with Tobytastic in 3^rd.  Forst lady crew went to Esther ‘yes I hoist my own kite’ Parkhurst, helmed by Ollie Groves. Stewart and Sarah pulled out a splendid last day to finish in 10^th and first Grandmaster – hats off to them in the wild conditions. At the other end of the scale 1^st Youth Helm went to second generation RS400 sailor Charlie Exley, crewed by Mum Caroline.

Howard Farbrother, who finished just outside the prizes in 11^th praised Royal Torbay PRO Michael Currie and the entire race and safety team  “Thank you for providing one of the toughest tests of boat, bay and bloody big breeze for many years. Just pleased to get me and Jack through it still in one piece! Thank you all.” 

Michael himself said “Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed being your RO. We had a lovely week as RO team and you are a great competitive and friendly fleet. Good luck to you all in Northern Ireland next year”

Day 2 round up video Lee Whitehead, Photolounge

Day 3 round up video Lee Whitehead, Photolounge

Photo Gallery Lee Whitehead, Photolounge

Photo Gallery from RTYC Club Photographer Tania at 50 North Photgraphy

Noble Marine RS400 Nationals - Day 1

The calm before the storm seems the best way to describe the weekend; with Royal Torbay Yacht Club proving excellent hosts as competitors arrived in various states of preparedness. Most were catching up in the sun over a couple of beers, with a few heading out for some practice and a great coaching session run by Sam Knight and Chris Bownes on Sunday. There was an undercurrent of nervous tension though, with a forecast for the week of a couple of jetstreams having a punch up followed by a Michael Fish-esque “hurricane” due to arrive Thursday or Friday… we shall see…

Sure enough, things were looking pretty fresh on Monday as the fleet launched into 18-20 knots with the forecast promising much more later on; Paul Smalley and Anna Kerslake lead the fleet out of the harbour in their new ship – and promptly continued this by leading round the first windward mark. It was all action behind, with Edd Whitehead and Ben Whaley having blown their kicker up in the first few seconds, managed to lash it up whilst heading out the corner and play their get of jail card to benefit from the same left shift that had catapulted Paul and Anna into the lead. The breeze started to build on Lap 2 with a very short steep chop that made boat handling on the downwinds challenging – Sam Knight and Chris Bownes had flown upwind to challenge for the lead but the immortal line from their coaching session “we never safety gybe but here’s how you do it if you need to” returned to haunt them as they hit the tide. At the front Edd and Ben had built a good lead by the end of the third lap to win from a hard charging Ollie Groves and Esther Parkhurst, and Chris Eames and Rachel Tilley.

Leading the silver fleet are Andy and Allyson Jefferies, one place ahead of Neil Bevington and Alan Skeens.

The race team rightly decided that that was enough fun and games for the day without unduly worrying event sponsors Noble Marine, sending the fleet in for a very hospitable prizegiving (thanks to Marlow Ropes and Rooster for the spot prizes) and Commodore’s Reception with the plan for three races tomorrow.

Tom Halhead

Noble Marine RS400 Nationals Day 2

OMG! Broken! So we though yesterday was big, well today was undoubtably bigger, and three races.

The fleet started early to get three races in and everyone had great slipway etiquette to get launched with German efficiency.

Race 2: Two general recalls brought the black flag out of the locker and then everyone was well behaved. The fleet pounded their way up the first beat into a solid offshore westerly F5 gusting 6, with a sharp chop. The majority of the fleet headed right, Oli and Esther came in from hard left, all congregated at the windward mark together. The shifts were coming in hard and fast downwind, with big gains to be made for those hooking into the 30 degree shifting gusts. In the end Ian and Chris Martin (Burghfield) made the best of the tactical choices and won from Edd Whitehead and Ben Whaley (Parkstone) and Oli and Esther (Bever SC) in third.

Race 3: Up the first beat pretty much the whole fleet headed out to the left hand side of the course. If you managed to hold your lane then you could get out to the front as the fleet rounded the first windward mark. With a few leaders to follow, once again the fleet grouped together to steam down the course on starboard. As the racing continued, the wind picked up something different and the shifts kept coming in fast. Waves picked up and masts went down as the race came to an end with a second win from Ian and Chris Martin (Burghfield SC). A great race from Niall Houston and George Zavos (HISC) after a rough start to the week through no fault of their own (snapped boom). Third place once again to the ever-consistent Ollie and Ester.

Race 4: The last race got away on the second attempt under a U flag.  By now the wind was blowing consistent F6 with larger gusts, and the sailors were relieved to see only a 2-lap race, although the windward mark was set a bit further up wind closer to the shore resulting in shifty gusty conditions approaching the windward mark.  The downhill ride was quick with pressure down the left-hand side of the course, benefiting those that gybed early.  There were casualties throughout the fleet from front to back for those that didn’t nail their gybes.  By the top of the last beat there was that feeling of just one more leg to survive, but again more were caught out. Oli and Esther showed consistency taking the bullet followed by Sam Knight and Chris Bownes from Lyme Regis SC in second, with Sam Watson and Darren Roach (Nantwich SC) taking third.

Overall, after the second day the scores are tight with only four points separating the top 3.

All to play for tomorrow, with another 3 races scheduled!

Charlie Exley, Dave Exley and Hamish Gledhill

Noble Marine RS400 Nationals Day 3

After Tuesday's shenanigans, Wednesday dawned relatively sedate, with a moderate 12 to 15 knots and sunshine welcoming the weary competitors down to the pier.

Torbay flattered to decieve. We "turned left" out of the harbour entrance into full planing conditions and, fundamentally, more of the same.

Usual service did indeed resume as Edd Whitehead/Ben Whaley took Race 5 by a huge distance to continue their neat scorecard. Following behind in quick succession were the Martin brothers Ian and Chris, then Ollie Groves/ Esther Parkhurst after some neat work downwind as the breeze funnelled over Paignton town. There was a notable 6th place from our Silver fleet leaders, Niall Houston and George Zavos. This follows a 2nd in yesterday's racing. Niall and George are showing some remarkable speed and positioning upwind this week.

Race 6 had a more variable breeze, still from a West-ish direction but the puffs were stronger than before.  Just what the doctor ordered...

I can't really remember the order to start with, but it was close. RS400 sailing at its best - there's nothing like hammering along at full chat while neck-and-neck with 16 other likeminded individuals.  Anyway, a spell seemed to have been cast somewhere in the region of Totnes as the fleet rounded the leeward gate at the end of the first lap, and the breeze died across the course, apart from on the right,  where Dave Exley/Alistair Coates and Jack Holden/Rob Henderson found themselves on a one-tack track to the windward mark.

Jack and Rob gybed at the spreader to take a long gybe down to the bottom and the win.
Edd/Ben shimmied through to second with Chris Eames/Rachel Tilley hot on their heels.
Jon Heissig/Nicky Griffin had their best result of the regatta in 7th, as did Charlie and Caroline Exley (Silver Fleet/Youth) in a well-earned 9th.

Race 7 was close at the start, middle and end, as the breeze started to give even the most experienced teams something to think about (hats off to the Royal Torbay team for laying on some fabulous racing!). A harumscarum final downwind saw Edd/Ben take a narrow win from the fast charging Sam Knight/Chris Bownes.

I'm afraid,  sports fans, we will not be returning until Friday as Thursday's forecast looks too biblical.

Thankfully,  the wise head of Mr Currie has reshuffled the schedule this week so we can get our full quota of hiking, holding on and hiking again. (Three races due on Friday).

Rob Henderson

Day 5 Report 

To follow soon

Photos and Video

Professional Photos thanks to Lee Whitehead, Photolounge and Tania Huthcings, 50 North Photography

Day 1 Photos thanks to Jim and Hannah at RTYC

Prize Winners

Noble Marine RS 400 National Championships 2024

Royal Torbay Yacht Club

Overall