Few things in life are truly certain: death, taxes and the Welsh Riviera offering spectacular sailing. For a fleet of RS300s writhing in the entrails of several low-pressure systems, this would be especially true. Elsewhere, events across the UK were cancelled with yellow weather warnings in place across swathes of the country, but if this band of RS300 sailors were worried, they didn’t show it. Wiser heads knew this championship would come down to a combination of skill and attrition, with a smattering of help from another variable – pies.
Abersoch is home to brilliant sailing areas exposed to as much rolling swell as you like, all with stunning views across Cardigan Bay and into Snowdonia. Sensibly though, the PRO for the event overruled the previous night’s alcohol-fuelled optimism and directed the fleet further inshore, protected from the swell and strongest wind.
Racing was underway after a short delay in a breeze comfortably in the 20-knot region and relatively flat water. The 30 + knot ferocity of the frequent gusts meant for a relentless assault on the senses. Off the line Charlie South put the afterburners on, sailing low and blisteringly quick. This was a masterclass in sneaking an RS300 onto the plane upwind. He would go on to win without challenge. Further back it was messy. By the time lap 3 rolled around, the number of swims across the course meant racing positions were anyone’s guess (save Charlie). Sam Davy survived to come home an impressive 3rd place behind ex-champion Paul Watson. Race 2 was of a similar ilk, but mercifully just 2 laps. Noteworthy though was Rob Baker’s superb skill on the reaches which enabled a 2nd place finish in race 2.
It hadn’t gone unnoticed that pies had taken an early lead. RS300 sailors nowadays clock in between 65-100+kg with heights from 5’4” to well over 6 feet. Predictably, the running order was closely correlated to sailor weight and height. Don’t let that taint the skill of these sailors by any stretch though – these boats were on the ragged edge. The top reach was a patchwork of holes and nuclear gusts; the bottom reach broad and awkward, with a remnant swell cutting across the wind. The intervening run was twitchy at best, occasionally suicidal, but always littered with up-turned hulls. Proving that skill can trump sheer mass; Matt Jenkins, Sam Davy, Tom Moore, Stephen Jones and defending champ Richard Hanby all posted a top 5 result.
By race 3, attrition had started to bite. Sailors and boats were tiring. Given the forecast, the fleet had come prepared with multiple spare spars, blocks, ropes and foils. But it was a control line issue that thwarted Charlie’s third bullet of the day, which instead went to Paul Watson from nearby Y Felinheli, followed by Harry McVicar, Peter Mackin and Rob Baker.
South junior’s dominance resumed in race 4 with the final win of the day. Luke, a.k.a South senior had a more challenging day. Watson came home second with Mackin third. That order would stand overnight. Elsewhere, George Bender, Richard Hanby and David Jenkins had tough days. Hanby decided to end his title defence there having posted fourth in the second race and a pair of DNFs.
Overnight celebrations were muted by creaking bodies propping up the bar and screeching hacksaws putting right the day’s damage. Nothing a cod and chips from The Creel couldn’t fix!
Saturday brought no respite for some already weary bodies. Race five quickly claimed its first victims. Ben Heppenstall suffered a nasty capsize which ended his day. Luke South also retired following a breakage. This ended up being a fortuitous retirement for Charlie, who was able to steal his father’s daggerboard after breaking his own. A valiant sacrifice indeed from South senior.
Peter Mackin won races 5 and 6 of the event. Although that wasn’t without receiving some mockery, having chickened out of every gybe required. South posted a second and third, very impressive considering the breakages. Watson, however, had a whoopsie and managed only 7th followed by a redeeming 2nd. Lightweight sailor Steve Sallis of Hykeham SC impressed with a 4th place having never lost touch with the lead pack.
The event was now a 3-horse race with Charlie holding a steady lead. Strategies were split for the final races. Charlie and Paul banked on clean air and space at the pin end, whilst Pete preferred to start at the favoured but busier committee boat end and pick lifts up the right. This strategy had done Mackin well earlier in the day but congestion in race 7 meant that Charlie and Paul rocketed up the left side, allowing South to return to well-deserved winning form. Watson finished 3rd after being pipped by Mackin on the line.
Most had assumed that no racing would be held on the final day which was forecasting 40+kts. This meant Charlie had already won ahead of the final race, but the Felinheli pair were just one point apart. The wind blew up one last time. Rob Baker sailed a blinder up the right-hand side and rounded mark 1 first followed closely by South, Watson and Mackin. As the pack approached the bottom of the run the breeze went nuts. Mackin instantly regretted taking the inside line. He asked Watson if he was going to gybe, such is the gentlemanly sport of sailing. Watson said gybe. Mackin murmured something unintelligible, slammed the boat round the corner hoping to be spared, but went for a long swim. So long that most of the fleet had finished by the time he was sailing again. Watson ended the regatta 2nd overall to Charlie’s masterclass in heavy wind sailing.
So ended the 2025 RS300 nationals with a very deserving champion, who was coincidentally awarded the wooden spoon for achieving glory with no less than 20 capsizes. Others could only brag about number of bruises sustained (yours truly leading the way at 34).
Since 2019, no one has yet won the event twice, testament to the depth and quality of this group of sailors which boasted new names at both ends of the fleet.
Full list of prize winners:
RS300 National Champion, Winner of Clive Everest Cup, Southern Sailboats Salver, Heavyweight Trophy, Lionel Boats Youth Trophy, Wooden Spoon – Charlie South, Emsworth SC
2nd Overall – Paul Watson, Clwb Hwylio Y Felinheli / Port Dinorwic SC
3rd Overall – Peter Mackin, Clwb Hwylio Y Felinheli / Port Dinorwic SC
4th Overall, Winner of RMW Marine Master’s Cup and the Stork’s Most Improved Trophy – Rob Baker, Rutland SC
5th Overall, Winner of Fidelis Trophy – Harry McVicar, Draycote WSC
Winner of the Lightweight and Silver Fleet Trophies – Steve Sallis, Hykeham SC
Winner of the Apprentice Trophy and Endeavour Prize – Edward Wilkinson, Warsash SC
Top Club – Clwb Hwylio Y Felinheli / Port Dinorwic SC
A big thank you to SCYC, their race management and safety teams and superb PRO James Budd. The event could so easily have been cancelled from the outset but SCYC and the RS Class Association team made it another reliable success. Rooster Sailing and Fenhurst Books once again sponsored the prizes and we thank them for their continued support year on year.
The RS300 class is looking forward to another exciting year in 2026. A European adventure awaits at the Riva Cup in Riva Del Garda in May, celebrating 30 years of amazing single-handed sailing. Full calendar to be shared on our class website soon.
Two events remain this year – Rooster National Tour at Dabchicks SC on 4-5 October and the Pitsford Finale on 1-2 November. Get in touch to try an RS300 and join these super friendly events! More at rs300.org
Results: https://scyc.co.uk/race_results/rs300-nationals-2025/
Written by Peter Mackin
Photos by Phill Boyd, Outwest Images
