Results / Rooster Inland National Championship Grafham Water SC - 05/09/2020

Despite these difficult times the 2020 RS600 Rooster Inland Nationals took place on Saturday 5th September at Grafham Water Sailing Club.

It was decided to run the event as a single day and what a day it turned out to be.  The RS600’s enjoyed almost perfect sailing conditions, with a 10-15 knot westerly gracing all three races.

A healthy 24 boats entered this year and it was great to see several newcomers as well as old faces joining this fleet.

This was the first event since the introduction of the Class new square top black mainsail.  Around half the fleet have already made the switch so we had a good opportunity to see the old and the new sails against each other.  The good news is that the difference was barely spoken about as there seemed to be no discernible advantage from either, which is exactly what the class wanted. Keeping the old sail competitive whilst enabling the boat to get an up to the minute modern look. The black sail really looks the business on the water.

Also at the event, was Ian Montague’s brand new boat No 1000. The first one built since the early 2000’s and now built by Boat Yard at Beer.  The second boat has just been completed and there was lots of interest from others being shown so this is clearly an important part of the RS600s future.

So to the racing, with all three races to count it was vital to avoid any major catastrophe. George Smith sailed the first two races almost faultlessly, pulling off bullets in both. Close behind was Jamie Mawson with a 2nd and 3rd.

Going into Race 3 George had only to score a 4th or better if Jamie won. Jamie did go on to win the race and George for a while made life difficult for himself before picking the shifts and moving into 2nd and so winning the 2020 Inland Nationals by what was in the end a comfortable margin and a well deserved win.

Other notable performances came from Wayne Hancox, scoring a 2nd in race 2, Olly Straker leading for much of that race before succumbing to a capsize.  Newcomers to the fleet Ben Harden, Tim Cutsforth and Daniel Johnson also showed excellent early form in the class and will be the ones to watch in the future.

We should praise Grafham Water Sailing Club, who organised a faultless event. Great courses, quick race turn around from the Race Officer.  Even a superb packed lunch supplied as part of the entry fee. Thank you to all concerned.

The RS600 Fleet is in a really good place, with an ultra modern new style sail, new boats being built and many new comers, both young and old(er) joining the fleet.  Lets hope 2021 is a little more normal and we can meet up on the water to do this again soon!

Ian Montague