Results / GUL RS600 National Championships Looe SC - 10/09/2006

The 2006 GUL RS600 National Championships took place in picturesque Looe SC, Cornwall and it will be remembered for a long time. Over the 4 days all ranges of conditions were experience with the highlight being the middle two days of force 5-6 winds and 8-10ft waves providing fantastic sailing conditions for the RS600. The 25 strong fleet were welcomed for the first day by blue skies and a shifty force 2-4. Two races took place where Christian Reynolds beat Andy Heissig in to second place in both. In the evening the fleet gathered at the club for a few beers and a superb buffet, with a Commodore and Mayor�s welcome. The second day saw a strong SE breeze of 20 knots plus, which caused some big seas and difficult launching conditions; all of the local tourist boat trips were cancelled! This led to some entertainment for those watching from the shore as the fleet battled to get over the breakers, some successfully and some not so. The 8ft-10ft waves on the race area provided hard conditions and the whole fleet experienced some exhilarating sailing. The racing saw Reynolds and Straker battling it out at the front for much of the day. A prolonged swim though for Reynolds in the first race saw Straker finish first followed by Heissig in second. Unfortunately though, Straker was disqualified for re-crossing the finish line, giving the win to Heissig and further problems were caused as several sailors missed the finish line due to difficulties seeing the finish mark in the big seas. This meant that Steve Reeves collected a well earned third with Dave Nunn in fourth. With Reynolds leading the fleet home in the other races of the day from Straker and Jamie Mawson sailing well to pick up a third in the final race, an exhausted fleet returned ashore. The evening�s entertainment saw a group of 30 plus fill a local curry house where Miles Woodhouse proved that he was quick at picking up the art of serving Indian dishes and assisted the restaurant waiting staff. The big seas and wind were still there on day three. The pattern of racing matched that to the previous day with Reynolds and Straker showing good speed in the breeze. Reynolds won the first race from Heissig, Staker suffered a capsize and broken tiller but still managed to come third, with Nunn in fourth. Heissig won the next race after Richard Mayo rounded the first mark in the lead, while Reynolds �borrowed� some fishing lines off the back of a passing yacht! After the final race, which Reynolds won again from Straker and Ian Marshall, the fleet once again returned to shore - with a bang and a crunch for some! In the evening a tired fleet gathered in the sailing club bar and enjoyed a few drinks, a bbq and chatted about �getting airborne!� and other stories about the fantastic day�s sailing. The final day saw light winds. The first race got underway and with Reynolds watching over Heissig, his nearest challenger, while Heissig was keeping an eye on Straker to defend his overall second position. Ian Marshall took the race honours while the second place for Reynolds finally gave him the title as National Champion after coming runner-up numerous times. Heissig�s third gave him second overall after sailing a very consistent series discarding two fourth places. The wind dropped further for the final race which saw Doug Horner round first. He was caught though and Marshall came through to win again, putting pressure on Straker�s third overall spot, but he missed out by 1 point. Jonathan Powell sailed well to finish in fifth overall. Many thanks for the helpers who helped launch the boats, to Looe SC and to GUL for a fantastic nationals.