Results : RS600 Open Northampton SC

GUL RS600 CIRCUIT EVENT NORTHAMPTON 6TH 7TH MAY 2000


Saturday morning at Pitsford Reservoir (Northampton) was as if it was a summer's morning, Blue skies and light to moderate North easterly wind. The format for the courses was  somewhat different to normal featuring a slalom lap with five gybe marks followed by a trapezoid lap. Which made for some very interesting sailing, as positions changed frequently as a hard fought GUL RS600 Circuit event unfolded.



Race one got under way, with Chairman of the RS Association, Tony Freer, making a welcome return to 600's leading to the windward mark; via a very shifty first beat. Closely behind were Peirs Reid, Carl Vinning, and Alex Southon. By the end of the first lap Tony Freer had opened up a commanding lead but  Peirs read the shifts well up the 2nd beat and closed the gap on Tony by the windward mark. Also Carl Vinning took Alex Southon to regain 3rd place. Tony kept Piers at bay to win and Carl vinning came 3rd. Tony seemed to be back on form, as this was the first time he has stepped into a RS600 for over two years.



Tony Freer started race 2 well to take a good lead at the windward mark, with Peirs and Antony York in Close pursuit. Down the slalom Piers wound in Tony and over took him. Piers went onto sail his own race and win while there was a battle going on for 2nd and 3rd Between Tony Freer, Antony York and Ian Jubb. But Tony held onto 2nd closely followed in 3rd by local expert Antony York also making a welcome return to RS600's.



Race three, started with every body being a bit too keen on the start line resulting in a general recall, which is normally unheard of in the 600 fleet. On the second start Ian Jubb lead to the windward mark. But going down the slalom, he led a few boats to the wrong mark. Letting Tony and Piers take the lead with Pete Saunders, Andy Irons and Antony York close behind. Then disaster struck for the leaders going down the run Piers on starboard, collided with Tony causing both boats to capsize Letting Andy Irons win followed by Antony York and Pete Sunders in 3rd.



The social that night was the annual RS Ball at the Hanover Hotel in Northampton. The night was sponsored by Gul and Sailsail.com It was a great night with good food great band and also a lot of beer with a few special awards.



Sunday Morning and a lot of people where nursing bad heads from the night before, but racing started on time with Tony once again leading from the first mark with Piers, Ian Jubb and Alex Southon  in close pursuit. Once again Peirs showed what he good do, in the light shifty conditions and took the lead. 

Andy Irons putting pressure on Tony Freer got through down the last leg and came 2nd with Tony in 3rd.



Race five started with a bit more wind, 15-16 Knots.  Piers took the lead and again showed us all how to sail in shifty conditions and sailed his own race until he capsized, allowing Tony to take the lead for a leg, But Piers regained his lead and won with Tony in second. There was a very close battle for 3rd with Andy Irons and Alex Southon continuously changing positions down the last run with Andy sneaking 3rd.



In the Final race, in a dying wind,  Piers led from the start and sailed his own race to win and round off a dominant display of 600 sailing.



Alex/Pete