Results : RS400 Open Weymouth and Portland Sailing Academy

GUL RS400 Racing Circuit at Weymouth 2000
by Nick Craig/Pete Vincent



Round 5 of the GUL RS400 Racing circuit welcomed some 47 boats at the new
Weymouth and Portland Sailing Academy.  This was the last circuit event
before the Nationals so all the top helms were present making it a good
Nationals form guide, for light winds anyway! The Academy proved a great
venue with loads of space on shore, great launching and has huge potential.



The opening race got underway in the bay with 13 casualties from a black
flagged general recall.  The reduced fleet then raced in the best wind of
the weekend, a force 2-3 with glorious sunshine.  Former Olympic campaigner
Stuart Hudson/Adrian Lynham got off to a flying start opening up a massive
lead with Roger Gilbert/James Stewart making a late charge at them.



Race 2 was incredibly close, with the leading 5 boats never more than 10
lengths apart and the lead constantly changing hands in a tactical game of
chess.

Circuit leaders Nick Craig/Keith Bedborough found good downwind speed to win
from Gilbert/Stewart and Draycote winners Steve Venables/Richard Brown.



Gilbert/Stewart demolished the fleet in race 3 to move into a strong
overnight
lead with 2,2,1 whilst the rest of the fleet struggled for consistency.

Hudson/Lynham were next with 1,5,7 and Craig/Bedborough and Venables/Brown
were still in the frame with OCS,1,4 and OCS,3,6.

Current National Champion Mike Budd led round two of the first marks but
could only score two 5ths.



The Sailsail.com party on Saturday night had to be the best of the year. In
a converted Helicopter hanger you could make as much noise as you wanted and
not worry about spilt beer. As for the bands lead singers boots
well...........



Sunday emerged windless.  With racing looking unlikely many people were
regretting their OCSs.  However, a trickle of wind came in around lunchtime
and the Race Officer acted very quickly to enable 3 races to be sailed. The
first race was held in very light, fluky winds over a short course.  Chris
Jennings/Ed

Nicklin sailed a great race to shift from 10th at the 1st mark through all
the
top guys to win from Craig Burlton/Andy Bonsey and the ever consistent
Gilbert/Stewart.



In race 2 was held in a better breeze over a longer course Gilbert/Stewart
and Craig/Bedborough broke clear of the pack to engage in a match race.

Craig/Bedbourough just came out on top, but this was not enough to stop
Gilbert/Stewart winning with a race to spare.



 Jennings/Nicklin and Burlton/Bonsey again showed their pace to take 1,2 in
the last race. Almost as soon as the racing finished the wind faded showing
how fortunate the fleet was to get 3 races in.



Gilbert/Stewart showed excellent light wind pace to win but the  chasing
pack is very close and some of the heavier crews hoping to show their form
in
stronger winds.  The overall Circuit is also very tight with all to play for
in
the remaining 2 rounds at the Nationals and Halfway in September. With four
events to count Nick Craig is in a strong position as he his the only helm
with four top five results. All the other leading helms have to count either
their result from the Nationals or Halfway.