Fierce competition for great prizes The RS Association played out the finale to the 2006 Gul club championship at Datchet Water SC. 9 clubs were represented in the 200 fleet of 20 boats. The light airs were particularly tricky due to the height of the reservoir sides given the lack of water, everyones concentration and patience was tested to the extreme. In race one Chris Pickles & Laura Westell got off the mark quickest to win from Phil & Dan Sowden. In the second race Steve Janering & Lottie Wakeling, Chris Martin & Rach Harrison and locals Nick & Claire Haylett spotted the breeze and put plenty of space between themselves and the chasing pack, but in the final 3rd of the 2nd beat Sue Antonelli and Jo Lloyd made the most of the shifts to lead at the windward mark and take the hooter. A remarkable surprise to coach Steve Dunn who was seen rolling about the safetyboat laughing when Sue and Jo finished 18th in the first race! Rob and Jan Martin headed hard left early in the next race to lead at the windward mark, they then went left again up the 2nd beat, 2/3rd up the beat it had looked like a disasterous choice, but the breeze filled in as if to order and went on to win with ease. In the last race it was Ellie Martin and Hannah Burywood who despite a late start found breeze and were first around the windward mark only to have a 400 backmarker hover to leeward to prevent a gybe which cost them the lead. In the debrief Coach Steve told everyone to practice harder, look for lanes and to relax in the boat rather than clutching the mainsheet too tightly and hooking the leech. Oh and to try and �start in the middle of the line to cut any losses with the shifts if you can�t work out a pattern�. The wind had swung around to the west on Sunday morning. In race 5 it definitely paid to head right along the side of the wall, Sue & Jo made the most of this and led from start to finish. Simon Gillow & Emma Harniman got the best start in race 6 and took the race with ease, Chris & Laura eased ahead of Phil & Dan in 3rd leaving the race for the 2nd prize (free entry to the 2007 Nationals) up for grabs. Steve made his final race bid and took a clear lead but lost out to Sue & Jo after some loose covering and a most outrageous lift, Phil & Dan finished 4th just enough to secure 2nd place overall. Sue and Jo went home smiling with a promise of a new Jib courtesy of LDC, GUL generously provided prizes for the top 8 boats. Wembley won the team prize of a days coaching at the club.