Results / RS600 Fat Face Open Lymington Town SC - 16/08/2003

16 RS 600s attended the last event prior to the forthcoming National Championships, which are being held at Torquay. Those who have sailed at Lymington will be familiar with the fairly tricky launching area, with its narrow ramp between pontoons. This was made more difficult by the brisk 15 - 20 knots blowing straight into the ramp and the abundance of Isle of Wight ferries. During the launching process Matt Connor called for water on one of the said ferries! That aside the open proved to be one of the best with some excellent conditions and race management throughout the weekend. The first race would prove to be the windiest gusting 20 knots, and made a little more interesting by the steep Solent chop. Richard Smith revels in these conditions and with a particularly long beat soon found his way to the front where he would stay to the finish. In close proximity Ian Montague pulled through to take second with Matt Humphreys in third. By race two the tide had turned to ebb strongly with the only way to go upwind being the inshore track. With the wind easing slightly Ian Montague pulled out a commanding win, with Nigel King (recently back after messing about in boats with a certain Ellen Macarthur) finishing second and Humphreys third. A new winner in race three with a yellow boat win from Griff Tanner followed by John Heissig. Day 2 dawned with almost perfect conditions, bright sunshine, waves and 15 knots of breeze. This was to prove to be a Stone SC day with Montague winning the first race and Smith the next two. Patrick Peacock also had an excellent day showing good speed and results of 2/5/2. Overall Ian Montague won the event showing more consistency than Richard Smith despite his three first places. So on to the Nationals. Things seem to be shaping up nicely, a good entry to date, with some good socials planned including free Go-Karting evening and team Curry. The class is a friendly bunch and if your mulling over going, do try and make it as looks like it should be a good'un.