Single handed open 2023
The Notts County single hander open for RS600, Aero and Solos took place on the last day of September in light winds. Race officer Ross Ryan had a little trouble as the wind moved, but the beats were good and there was one race before lunch and two after lunch. Separate reports below, and photos below.
RS 600 Open Notts County Sailing Club
Eighteen competitors arrived at Notts County Sailing club for the RS600 open, sponsored by Silverhook and Rooster, held in parallel with Aeros and Solos, each fleet having a separate start. The dismal forecast for Saturday 30 September didn’t put off the keen RS600 sailors from attending the 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 (Notts County) 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 (Bough Beech) battling his way through the top third of the fleet to finish 2nd closely followed by Jake Willars (Notts County) 3rd and John Tailby (Notts County) 4th.
Race 2 saw the wind start with a breeze then drop lighter and more shifty and 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 3rds.
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 (Notts County) 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 (Notts County) and George Smith were in hot pursuit and battling for 2nd place. George finally got through Matt and 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 Ian Marshall (Oxford and RAF SA) 1st Master finishing 6th overall and 16-year-old Raife Piggott (Notts County) 1st youth 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.
Next stop is the end of season in November which we are all looking forward to and a high number of entries are predicted again!
Report Alex Piggott, photos David Eberlin & Kathryn Hinsliff-Smith (prizewinners)
RS Aeros Northern Tour at Notts County Sailing Club 30Â September, 2023
Fourteen RS Aero’s, arrived at Notts County Sailing Club including visitors from three other clubs and four club female sailors were entered. The prizes were sponsored by Silverhook and Rooster. Competitors were greeted by mild conditions and the forecast of a light WSW wind, with the promise of more in the afternoon. The club organises a single handed open for 3 classes, Aero, RS600 and Solo.
The 3-race event got off to a prompt start following a briefing by the Race Officer, Ross Ryan and saw local U19 sailor Hayden Moore (Notts County) take the win with Joe Scurrah (Carsington) second and Craig Williamson (Staunton Harold) third.
Following lunch, and more wind forecast, the format for the afternoon was two back-to-back races. As promised a little more wind came in from a slightly more southerly direction. The increase in wind saw close racing at the front of the field with the day’s second race going to Joe Scurrah with Craig Williamson second and Paul Williamson (Staunton Harold) third. Very tight racing occurred across all the fleet with all on a 7 rig except a new junior (Cillian Dyne, Notts County) on a 5.
For the final race, dark clouds appeared and rain. This brought more gusts and the windward mark and course changed to reflect the changing wind directions. A reasonable breeze followed allowing the front runners to break away as the rain appeared and for a while providing some wind which unfortunately petered out for those further down the course to absolutely nothing, some getting towed home after finishing. Joe Scurrah again led the field home with close racing seeing Rebecca Ogden (Notts County) second and Hayden Moore third.
Overall, it was a great day of combining the open, with 18 RS 600’s and a small fleet of Solo’s. The mixture of three fleets was of no concern to the experienced RO and all competitors agreed it was a perfect combination with good banter and racing had by all, providing the opportunity for local sailors to test out their skills in a very competitive fleet.
Prizes were awarded for 1st youth Gwyneth Lanyon (Notts County), 1st Lady Rebecca Ogden (Notts County) and 1st, 2nd and 3rd overall.
Notts County looks forward to hosting the event, as part of the Rooster sponsored RS AERO Northern circuit in 2024 (date to be agreed).
Report prepared by Ian Masson and Kathryn Hinsliff-Smith
The Solos had less of an entry with only four taking part, 3 from the club. Kevin Hope (Notts County) took the first race, and James Morley (Oxford and RAF SA) Â the second and third, giving him the trophy.
