Round 4 – RS21 UK & Ireland Cup – Event Interview
Where was the event?
Lymington Town Sailing Club
Who was racing?
The RS21 UK & Ireland Class had eight boats racing this event, seven private owners and one charter boat. It was great to have new owners, The Collisters, at their next event!
What were the conditions?
True champagne sailing!
Friday – Big Breeze | 25+ knots | Wind against tide | Big seas | Wall to wall sunshine!
Saturday – Lighter breeze to start | 10knots | Building breeze | 25+ knots by the last race | Tide flicked in the last race, creating some really good waves to play with | Epic sunshine
Sunday – Light winds to start | 8 knots | gradually built with the thermal to mid teens | Another day of sunshine
What happened on shore?
Friday – Harken dock party, which is becoming a firm favourite for our RS21 teams. Followed by a leader’s top tips session with a cool beverage in hand.
Saturday – All teams headed up to the bar for a bit of apres before they had a formal dinner, by all accounts a very tasty greek buffet. There was a fantastic vibe in the club, with all teams spread out over two long tables, sharing a drink and tale from the water. Dinner was followed by an insightful talk from rules wizard John Deorr.
Best moment?
The last lap of the last race on Saturday was utterly incredible. 25+ knots, perfectly flat water, just before the tide flicked, the RS21’s made the turn around the windward mark and absolutely sent it. Muscles were aching by the end of the run, not in the arms but the face from giddy grinning all the way down wind – this is what the RS21 is all about!
Funniest moment?
Sailors were all worried about being OCS after a U flag went up pre-start. The tide, in true Solent fashion, was utterly racing, pulling boats over the line. So, helms clearly gave themselves a little more wiggle room before they’d cross the line. All crews agreed that the solid 20-second delay till the first boat crossed the line in race 5 was probably a little too much caution!
Most talked about moment on the dock?
The tide. It was ripping all day and catching boats out all over the course!
What settings/modes felt quick this weekend?
Put really simply, when the breeze was up, it was a day of pulling a lot of everything on! Rig tension, cars out, loads of backstay, and trying to keep the boat flat. Sitting back downwind ensured the bow popped and stopped the keelboats stalling in the bigger seas.
Who made up the podium?
1st | Dark and Stormy: Liam Willis, Will Taylor, Will Homewood, Nick Simmonds
2nd | Zaddy: Philip Bendon, Harry Phelps, Peter Bendon, Jack Rockett
3rd | Skedaddle: Russell Collister, June Collister, Greg Kelly, Flynn Davies
Who do the class need to thank?
Huge thanks goes to;
- Lymington Town Sailing Club – For hosting an exceptional event
- Harken UK – Hosting another epic dock party
- PRO – Roger & Jenny Wilson – Fantastic Race Management
- John Doerr – Heading the protest committee and a fantastic talk on Saturday evening
- Club Volunteers – From lovely food, cold drinks, laying marks, and so much more!
When’s the next event?
Round 5 – Cork, Ireland | 15th – 19th July | Part of the legendary Volvo Cork Week | Enter now
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