Results / Notts County SC - 30/09/2023

RS600 Rooster National Tour, Notts County SC

A dismal forecast for Saturday 30th September didn’t put off 18 keen RS 600 Sailors from attending the first ever open event at Notts County Sailing Club. Plenty of new faces travelling across country were a welcomed sight and shows the fleet continues to go from strength to strength.

Competitors were met with light winds for the opening race with the lighter crews trapezing at times. Race 1 saw Jamie Mawson get away at the start and cruise to one of his easier wins without any trouble. A much closer race was going on behind him with George Smith battling his way through the top third of the fleet to finish 2nd closely followed by Jake Willars 3rd and John Tailby 4th.

Race 2 saw the wind drop even lighter, and with the wind shifting around, it became quite fluky at times. George Smith led the way but was in constant battle with Jamie Mawson for the bullet and in the end succumbed to the pressure with Jamie again taking the win by the narrowest of margins. Close racing again behind the front two saw places changing constantly between the top 10 but Jake Willars showed good speed and consistency bagging two thirds.

The breeze freshened for race 3 and most crews were now wiring making for an exciting final race. The first two starts had been port biased but a change to the line saw the majority go for the starboard end. Alex Piggott this time got a cracking start and picked up the shift on the left-hand side of the course to lead at the windward mark with a comfortable gap behind. Matt Potter and George Smith were in hot pursuit and battling for 2nd place. George finally got through Matt and then continued to hunt down the leader into the finish line, but Piggott hung on for the win propelling him above Jake Willars on count back to take 3rd overall. Smith’s 2nd place secured 2nd overall and Jamie Mawson was crowned the winner.

Other notable results were Jake Willars getting 1 under 22 and finishing 4th overall, Ian Marshall getting 1st Master finishing 6th overall and 16-year-old Raife Piggott achieving 1st under 19 in his first ever 600 event finishing 10th overall.

It was a great event with exciting racing throughout the fleet to cater for all skill levels.

Alex Piggott

Photos: Notts County Sailing Club