Results / Fat Face Racing Circuit Bristol Corinthain YC - 25/03/2006

RS200 Fat Face Circuit off to a huge start at Bristol Corinthian YC - 61 boats The winter cobwebs were well and truly washed away at Bristol Corinthian YC when an awesome fleet of 61 RS200�s took part in the first Fat Face Racing Circuit of the year. The drawing power of 200�s and BCYC was again demonstrated by the fact that this was the second largest ever RS200 Racing Circuit event including a competitor travelling all the way from Lerwick in the Shetland Isles; the 24 hours journey proved very worthwhile. The weather had markedly improved over the chill of recent weeks with 10- 13 degrees and a variable southeasterly breeze that moved around and averaged around a force 3-4. We could have done without the general damp, slate grey conditions but it was such an improvement on the rubbish conditions we have suffered during 2006 so far. With such a large quality fleet and shifty conditions recording any sort of consistent set of results whilst keeping off the OCS blackboard was both going to be very hard and vital as was to be proved. Race 1 on Saturday started with surprising ease with the fleet well spread out along a good start line set by PRO Rhys Lankester. Roger Gilbert/Jane Willan led but one of BCYC�s finest Pete Vincent/Tessa Nicholls jumped from 5th to first on the first run. They then pulled out a comfortable lead; much to the shock of the race team who knew they were never going to hear the end of it and were not seriously challenged. Gilbert/Willian won the tight tussle for second at the final mark from Jon Greenland/ Pippa Williams and Jon Lewis/Katie Nicholl. Colin Staite and BCYC�s Liz Teague looked to have race 2 in control but lost out very late on to Lewis/Nicholl with Greenland/Williams third and the Hewitsons fourth. David Giles/Kita Carpenter really found forward gear for an emphatic race 3 win from Gilbert/Willan and Sarah Allen with unusual sight of Geoff Carveth crewing. Greenland/Williams fourth gave the very consistent duo overnight lead. The club then did something silly, rum and coke at �3 a jug!! The fleet proved they had no self-control and they had taken full advantage because through the hangover haze they had no idea where the start line was on Sunday. The OCS black board was very full by the time the fleet started for race 4. Micky Wright/Howie Enkal had though been on a Jack Daniels diet and knew where the line was plus the big left shift to lead. Andy and Jill Peters then led to loose out on a dodgy gybe to Vincent/Nicholls who disappeared in a cloud of spray as the wind picked up. Just as the race committee faced the horror of a second race win Vincent/Nicholls won the duckhams for the weekend capsizing in the lead. The long distance travellers Georgie Hill from Middlesborough and Roger Tait from Lerwick ignored the mayhem to win from the Peters with BCYC�s Sarah Taylor/ Lucy Matthews and Nick Charles/Juliet Kingsnorth third and fourth. Will Story /Kate Havill marked a good event by leading race 5 but lost out to Giles/Carpenter with Charles/Kingsnorth third and Paul/Caroline Fisk fourth. Giles/Carpenter had a slim lead with discard going into the final race but had an OCS and it was game on for overall victory with several in contention. Giles/Carpenter fully settled the argument though by getting a fine pin end start to lead at the first mark. Although Charles/Kingsnorth got close Giles/Carpenters third race win was more than good enough to win overall. Storey/Havill won the silver division from Andi Riley/Julie Marsden and Mark/Sally Harrison. Georgie Hill/Roger Tait won the bronze division from Simon Howell/ Richard Murphy and Charlie Muir/Jane Sands. It was such an action packed event there is no room to mention crews jumping out the boat because their helm asked them to take the kite down, how much Wembley girls enjoyed the rum, Jon Lewis missing the last race on Saturday because he had a hot date and Ian Packard�s taste in boxer shorts. If it carries on like this it�s going to be quite a year. Pete Vincent.