The second circuit event in the RS400 season was held on the 8th/9th May at Northampton Sailing Club. On the Saturday 4 races were held in very strong winds and winter like temperatures.
 
Race one started on time and was led at the first mark by Mike Sims and Andy George from Tom Jeffcoate and Mark Hogan although their lead was lost at the first leward mark after a bad kite drop resulted in them sailing past the mark. As the race developed Sims and George showed good pace recovering to secure the win on the last lap from Jeffcoate and Hogan closely followed by Sam Parker and Stu Jagger.
 
Race two was lead from start to finish by Mark Reddington and Colin Staite. Early race contenders Sims and George were forced to retire due to a broken rudder. Howard Farbrother and Nathan Pinch finished second finding good speed in the conditions followed by Jeffcoate and Hogan in third and Parker and Jagger in forth.
 
Race 3 was won on the water by Sims and George although they were later scored OCS giving the win to Reddington and Staite. Second went to Nick Simmons with his replacement crew who sailed extremely well recovering from their premature start followed by Parker and Jagger.
 
Race 4 was again won from Sims and George. Second went to Simmons and replacement crew who pushed Sims and George hard through out the race. Third going to the consistent Jeffcoate and Hogan.
 
On Sunday only 2 races were sailed with the first starting at 10am in slightly less wind and much warmer temperatures
 
Race 5 was won by Reddington and Staite although part way through the race was given slightly extra comfort when the chasing boat of Sims and George was forced to again retire with further gear failure. They were not alone with their problems as Farbrother and Pinch broke their boom as they sheeted in after the start which resulted in an early swin. Third went to Chris and Karen Larr.
 
The final race went to Jeffcoate and Hogan who benefited from Sims and George failing to check that the race officer had reduced the number of laps from 5 to 4 although managed to realise just in time to secure second from Reddington and Staite.
 
Overall winners were Reddington and Staite, second went to Jeffcoate and Hogan, Nick Simmons and Lou Hosken third, Parker and Jagger in forth.
 
Big thanks must go to Northampton SC who made the class very welcome.
 
The next event is Gurnard SC on May 22nd/23rd were a bumper attendance is expected due to the healthy number of home boats.