Results / Noble Marine National Championship South Caernarvonshire YC - 03/08/2025

RS200 Noble Marine National Championship 2025 – SCYC – Day 1.

The 97 boats arriving at SCYC for the 2025 RS200 Nationals were greeted with a hot and sunny pre-event weekend, to complete the final boat bimbling and pre-week chats. Storm Floris was brewing, and the question of whether we would sail at all on Monday was still unanswered.

Monday ended up being a relaxed morning, with an AP over 3 shown, meaning no racing before 3pm. As the storm kicked in, 56 knots were recorded at Aberdaron just down the coast, confirming we would not be racing until late afternoon at the earliest. The weather on the beach once the rain had passed was delightful, so the waiting game for the 97-strong fleet began. After a few hours of sunbathing, PRO Arky and his team called a full briefing, and after some wind and sea state warnings, one race was set for 5pm.

On the way to the racecourse, the wind was still 20-25 knots, leading to a few boats having a pre-start swim and a few breakages for the unlucky. After another AP, JJ and Jess Hammett set off as the rabbit, but were too quick for the chosen gate boat… Therefore, a general recall was needed while they swapped the gate boat to a rib. After a short wait, the rabbit was released again and the fleet quickly saw the ominous sight of the Goodey/Thomas and the Darlings crossing the fleet on port.

These two were not in the mood to be challenged by the rest of the fleet and kept the battling between themselves until the end. A shortened course was a thankful reprise for most on the second beat, and a finish on the third windward made the sail home a lot shorter. Well done to Tom Goodey/ Chris Thomas for the race win, James Morson/ Fiona Harrington as first finisher in silver fleet and Graham Tribeck/ Steve Jackson as first finisher in bronze fleet.

A shout out to the Duckhams winners – Alex Smallwood for snapping his mast while driving into a car park on the way to the nationals, and Ryan Robinson for deciding to sail the whole day without his bung in!

We will see what the rest of the week will bring!

Report by Charlie Whitaker

 Day 2.

The second day of the RS200 Noble Marine Nationals hosted by SCYC delivered classic “Cape Town” conditions, as one seasoned South African sailor observed “it is sunny and windy just like Cape Town”. Who would have thought we were in North Wales! With the remnants from Storm Floris still making their presence felt, a robust morning breeze saw race officials record gusts as high as 35 knots. After a brief hour-long delay, the fleet launched at 1 PM, only for the committee to swiftly call everyone ashore for safety as the winds proved too lively for racing.

This unexpected pause gave competitors a chance to enjoy the beach, swapping hiking straps for cricket bats and making the most of some relaxed early afternoon beach games on the sand. Abersoch beach became the Abersoch Oval with Alex Smallwood doing some fantastic spin bowling in his lovely Duckham's dress. Spirits remained high as the fleet waited for conditions to settle. At 2:30pm, the fleet relaunched, greeted now by a steadier, but still punchy, 18–25 knots. A lively downwind run took the fleet to the start for Race 2 of the championships on a big course in glamour conditions.

Special thanks go to James Morson and Fiona Harrington, who performed superbly as today’s gate boat, helping the fleet get underway quickly for a taxing first beat that seem to stretch forever. Overnight leaders Thomas Goodey and Richard Thomas started earlyish out the gate with Tommy and Charlie Darling next up. 

The downwind leg saw the top boats stretch even further away and by the second windward Jonny and Ben still held the lead but Ian and Emma seem to hold better pressure down the final run to lead at the gate and take the win. Jonny and Ben tried to shake Tommy and Charlie off their tail but the lightweights got the break and secured another second which makes them overnight leaders.

Leading the silver fleet and finishing an impressive 21st overall were Eve Kennedy and Ellie Rush, while Joseph Tubb and Amelie Curtis claimed the top spot in bronze.

Report by Cameron Harris & Debbie Jarvis

 Day 3.

Another gorgeous day in Abersoch! Slightly fewer knots of breeze and slightly fewer hours spent on shore… three races were completed in 8-14 knots with intermittent sun!

Race 1 of the day was sailed in 8-10 knots. Merrick Stanley and Victoria Upton (1706) reached the windward mark first, followed by JJ and Jess Hammett (1714) and Tommy and Charlie Darling (1733). By the gate, Jess and JJ had taken the lead, followed by Merrick and Victoria (1706) and Tommy and Charlie (1733). By the second windward mark, Jess and JJ (1714) still led, with Tommy and Charlie (1733) up to second and Merrick and Victoria (1706) in third - the order in which the race finished.

By the time the second race of the day started, the breeze had increased to 15 knots. Daniel Whiteley and Olivia Stanley (1626) made it to the windward mark first, followed by Brendan Lynch and Ellen Clark (1739) and Jonny McGovern and Ben Whaley (1700). An exciting downwind changed things up, with Ian Martin and Emma Hivey (1702) leading at the bottom gate, followed by Brendan and Ellen (1739) and Tommy and Charlie Darling (1733). Ian and Emma (1702) clinched the win, followed by Brendan and Ellen (1739) and JJ and Jess Hammett (1714).

The wind dropped to around 13 knots for the final race of the day. A large wind shift during the start meant that the race had the be abandoned and restarted. At the first windward mark, Ollie Evans and Zoe Nieveen (1716) led, followed by James Morson and Fiona Harrington (211) and Jonny McGovern and Ben Whaley (1700). An exciting downwind meant everything was to play for and by the time the boats made it to the windward again, James and Fiona (211) led, followed by Matt Venables and Bethan Matthew (1727) and Ian Martin and Emma Hivey (1702). Matt and Bethan (1727) overtook James and Fiona (211) downwind to take the win, and Chris and Evie Pickles (1657) followed in third.

The fleet is excited for the curry and dress up party tonight - musical legends themed! Thanks to the race officer and SCYC for a great day on the water.

Report by Bethan Matthew.

Day 4

Shifts and swell define the fourth day of the 2025 Noble RS 200 National Championships… another huge three race day!

A grey and windy outlook from Abersoch beach had the fleet donning extra layers before setting out to the race area. The breaking waves on the shore were the first indicator that the sea state had switched up for the Thursday, and this suspicion was confirmed upon leaving the shelter of the moorings. Large swell from the southwest surged the fleet forward toward the start area, setting the scene for an epic showdown.

The first race got away swiftly with the front pack generally opting for an early start through the gate, mixing it up from the previous day’s strong right-sided favour. Quick out the blocks were McGovern and Whaley, leading the way to the windward mark having sailed hard left up the beat. Whiteley and Stanley were in quick pursuit with Darling and Darling rounding up the top three. Next, followed a tricky downwind. The breeze had dropped, but planing across the swell on starboard tack was simple in the bands of breeze coming down the course. However, downwind on port required more careful steering. With swell directly on the transom, it paid to switch between planing and surfing/ soaking modes. The following laps saw Whiteley and Stanley extend the lead, with McGovern and Whaley battling Hallam and Hill on the downwinds, finishing second and third respectively.


As the second race got away after a brief postponement, crews were pleased to be racing and getting the blood pumping! Again, early starts proved successful with teams making the most of a slight left shift up the beat. A very tight bunch arrived at the windward mark, led by Evans and Nieveen. After a brief reach across the top of the port-lay approachers, Evans and Nieveen, followed by Hallam and Hill led the fleet out downwind with an early gybe. The ever easing breeze had made the downwind even more hard work with helms steering the boats hard around the waves and maximising the most of the depth when surfing, contorting their crews into precarious and uncomfortable shapes! Evans and Nieveen extended their lead, seemingly whispering to the wind and summoning every gust they could find. The battle was tight on the final run Evans and Nieveen held on, Hallam and Hill finished up in second, with Goodey and Thomas finding some good wind on the right side downwind and ending up in third.

The final race got away quickly in 12 knots with patches of pressure hard to spot, however, a big shift led to a recall. The second start got away clear, but shortly afterwards the wind flicked right. With lots of the fleet committing early to the left side, a scrabble toward the right commenced. Close racing followed in choppy waters. Helms had to be careful not to oversheet the leech, and crews hiked hard. Clean lanes were never open for long, and this led to many boats being sailed right the way up to the port lay line. Pathfinders Darling and Darling were not caught out by the changing conditions, leading the race start to finish. Odell and Jameson sailed through the fleet to second place at the finish and Hammett and Hammett showing their lighter air speed to round out the top three in the race, completing the HISC 1,2,3!

Overall results at the end of the day are tight. Darling and Darling are left in a strong position (but not secured) going into the final day, but positions 2nd to 7th are all to play for, with only 10 points between! One thing is for sure, tomorrow could be anyone’s day, and with a great forecast, it’s time to rest up and get ready to race again! 

Report by Henry Hallam

Day 5 Report

Congratulations to Tommy and Charlie Darling - 2025 RS200 National Champions!

The boats are in, the wetsuits are hanging up and the bar is open - that’s a wrap on the Noble Marine RS200 Nationals at SCYC.

The fleet were greeted on the the beach with reasonably big gusts that only built on the water. Strong winds and big waves made for a spicy start with Tommy and Charlie , Jonny McGovern and Ben Whaley starting early to successfully cross the fleet. Jonny and Ben rounded first followed by Daniel Whiteley and Olivia Stanley, then Ben Tylecote and Dylan Beatty, with Tommy and Charlie in 4^th. Increasing winds facilitated a rapid downwind for some and a wet one for others. By the gate Tommy and Charlie had climbed to 2^nd with Ewan Wilson and Anna Sturrock up to 3^rd.

The wind started to ramp up by the end of the second beat, Jonny and Ben had secured a comfortable lead that they were able to increase even further on the last downwind leg. Ian Martin and Emma Hivey flew down the last downwind to impressively convert a 4th around the windward mark to a 2nd place finish with Ewan Wilson and Anna Sturrock following them to claim 3rd. 4^th place for Tommy and Charlie was enough for them to win the championship.

Race 10 was abandoned with winds recorded at 30 knots and several broken boats (author included). The dynamic Darling duo sailed a fantastic, consistent series throughout various conditions all week and are definitely well deserved victors.

A huge thank you to SCYC and the race committee for hosting such a fantastic event. From start to finish, the organisation, hospitality, and race organisation were absolutely top-notch, especially given the somewhat tricky wind conditions throughout the week. Thanks to the event sponsors Noble Marine Insurance and Rooster Sailing .

As ever, for all sailors, the RS200 nationals was filled with great sailing, great company, and a wonderful atmosphere both on and off the water - easily holding its reputation is one of the best dingy events in the UK. See you all next year at RTYC,Torquay (16-20 August)

Prize Winners:

1^st – Tommy & Charlie Darling – Hayling Island SC

2^nd – Ian Martin & Emma Hivey - Burghfield SC/ASA/RNSA

3^rd – Jonny McGovern & Ben Whaley - Swanage SC

4^th – James & Jess Hammett – Hayling Island SC

5^th – Thomas Goodey & Richard Thomas – RNSA

6^th – Ollie Evans & Zoe Nieveen – Hayling Island SC

7^th – Daniel Whiteley & Olivia Stanley – Port Dinorwic SC/Trearddur Bay SC

8^th – Henry Hallam & Ashley Hill – Restronguet SC

9^th – Brendan Lynch & Ellen Clark – East Lothian YC

10^th – Jamie Harris & Ellen Main - Hayling Island SC

1^st Silver – Terry & Amelia Hacker – Rutland SC

1^st Bronze – Toby Bush & Robbie Stewart – Waldringfield SC

1^st Youth Helm – Ollie Evans - Hayling Island SC

1^st Youth Boat – Henry Hallam & Ashley Hill – Restronguet SC

1^st Junior Helm – Milly Tregaskes  - Restronguet SC

1^st Junior Crew – Ben Roberts – Parkstone YC

1^st Junior Boat - Milly Tregaskes & Taryn Banks - Restronguet SC

1^st Loving Cup -  Brendan Lynch & Ellen Clark – East Lothian YC

1^st Family – Hywel Roberts & Ben Roberts – Parkstone YC

1^st Siblings - Tommy & Charlie Darling – Hayling Island SC

1^st Master – Hywel Roberts – Parkstone YC

1^st Grand Master – Mike Warwicker – Bough Beech SC

1^st Lady Helm – Karen Oldale - Parkstone YC

1^st Lady Team - Karen Oldale & Lorna Glen - Parkstone YC

Top Club - Hayling Island SC

Top University – Southampton University

Jon Lewis Trophy – Hazel & Gemma McDonnell

Person of the Year – Ben Teague – Abersoch SC

Endeavour Prize – Matthew Somerville & Henry Bullen – Bassenthwaite SC

Report by Annabelle Orme 

Photos by Outwest

Link to full results: https://scyc.co.uk/race_results/rs200-nationals-2025/