Can you believe it’s been a week already?! Let’s take a look back at the RS21 UK & IE Nationals in Lymington, 03rd – 06th August.
The biggest RS21 event on UK shores yet, the championships featured 25 boats and 108 competitors. It was also the first RS Class Association event to make use of robotic racing marks from Smartmark. Lymington Town Sailing Club hosted the teams from dawn until dusk, putting on great food, drinks and a special dose of Hampshire hospitality.
Crews donned their best bold and bright outfits for the return-to-shore ‘Pink Party’ on Thursday night. Hosted by Mermaid Gin, the pontoon party serenaded sailors with music, free drinks and prizes as the boats hit the dock.
Friday night featured the Inaugural Championship Dinner which included guest speeches from RS Sailing’s Commercial Director Michiel Geerling and RS21’s Class Manager Nick Redding. Participants were treated to a sneak peek of 2024’s RS21 Cup calendar – which comprises of 6 x high-quality, 3-day events (find out more and get in on the action by following RS21 UK Class on Facebook & Instagram).
Music on the Marina hosted by Berthon put on a great show with band BB3 for the Saturday night party – as wet gear was swapped for dancing shoes and teams embraced the festival atmosphere!
But what about the results? After 10 hard-fought races, the competition was fiercely close and it all came down to the final run. Trigger – sailed by Paul Fisk, Pippa Jubb, Caroline Fisk and Tim Peters – crossed the line first, winning not only the race but also the full championship!
A champagne-spray celebration had everyone cheering in the podium pictures. In second place, local legends from Lymington, the ‘Dark & Stormy Sailing Team’ – Liam Willis, Nick Simmons, Will Homewood and Keith Willis. While in third, the 2022’s National Champions took the stand – Hugh Watson, Emma McEwan Susanna Peats and Helen Watson.
The RS21 Class is strengthening every month, shown by the presence of keelboat rockstars Geoff Carveth and Craig Burlton, who finished just outside the podium in places 4th and 5th respectively. Notable mentions must go to the Sea Cadets – who brought energy, tenacity and some serious racing skills to the fleet! With plans afoot to put on an under-23 championship in 2024 we are going to see this group come towards the front of the fleet over the coming years. You can see the full results here.
Next up? Join the fleet for the RS21 UK & Ireland Cup round 4 in Hamble on the 21–22 October 2023. Find out more at www.rs21ukclass.org
Special thanks to The Gold Partners:
- Mermaid Gin
- Reflections Film and Media
- Harken UK
- BDR Marketing
- RS Electric Boats
- Smartmark
