RS400 Monthly Round Up – April
24 teams joined the other hiking RS classes for a chilling, champagne slay ride at the Sprint Champs. Have you not yet ventured to the sprints? Think it’s just a bit of fun? You could not be any further from the reality, which in recent years has been hard core racing over short courses expertly hosted by Rutland SC. The Sprints offer everyone competitive racing because the fleets are split into gold and silver. Read this years report to see what you are missing. http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/175636/RS400-Sprint-Championships-at-Rutland
On the same weekend we counted 83 400s racing (or trying to) at 4 clubs. 25 RS400s at the Sprint Champs, 21 boats training/racing at Findhorn, 10 boats racing at Notts County, and a bumper 27 turnout at the Irish Easterns (read about that here http://afloat.ie/sail/sailing-classes/rs-feva/item/24926-rs-sailors)! Unfortunately due to an accurate forecast of 35-40 knots the Findhorn event had to be cancelled– which as a bit gutting for all concerned as these weekends have previously proved a perfect start to the season.The Scottish team will reschedule this later in the season.
On the 26/27 April we had 2 events on offer. The Southern/Midland Tour kicked off at Bartley with training and racing. Caroline Whitehouse, crewed by Guy Mason, won in her first sail since giving birth to baby Jess! (http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/176069/RS400s-at-Bartley)
The Northern Tour returned to the home of wind shifts, axminster and nightclubs, the Royal Windermere Yacht Club. Chris Pickles & Matt Sharman finished on top after a 6 race ding-dong with Josh & Patrick Metcalf (http://www.royal-windermere.co.uk/rs400-open-meeting-2014).
The Northern Tour heads to Leigh & Lowton for a one day event on 17th May whilst the same weekend the Southern Tour heads to the popular Queen Mary SC for racing and training. The next event for the Scots will be the Scottish Champs on 7/8 June which is also an Northern Tour Event so we hope to see lots of travellers. See what’s on when here http://uk.rs400.org/index.asp?selection=Events&Fleet=RS400
Further ahead the ‘RS 400 Class Association’ Facebook page is alight with Garda banter with 23 entered so far and talk of numbers reaching 40. (http://www.rs400.org/championships/index.asp?eid=753) and the association forum is providing newbies with hints and tips. Do you have a 400 with weeds growing through the bailer? 400s are appearing as fast as they are going on Apollo Duck. There has never been a better time to sell!
See you all at Leigh & Lowton, if not you should be at Queen Mary!
Best Wishes
Paul Allen 1395
RS400 Publicity and Results Rep
