RS Sailing
Premier Way, Abbey Park
Romsey Hampshire SO51 9DQ
01794 526760
RS Sailing
Premier Way, Abbey Park
Romsey Hampshire SO51 9DQ
01794 526760

RS400 Inland Championships – It takes a lot to keep the 400s away

October 7, 2020
RS400

By Matt Sheahan – RS400 Class Association

RS400 Inland Championships – Grafham Water – 4 Oct 2020

It would appear that you have to throw a lot of obstacles at the RS400 fleet to stop them from turning up to the Inland Championships. A poor and uncertain weather forecast, a one day event, a long drive, no evening get together, no prizegiving, along with a legal restriction on how many friends you could talk to  simply weren’t enough reasons to stop 40 teams arriving at Grafham SC for this year’s event.

But while the venue and entry list were familiar to many, the shoreside organisation was different. An online briefing, changing in the dinghy park and boats allocated one of seven designated slipways ensured that the fleet did the right thing in the face of the current situation and stuck to the rules – and it worked.

On the water there were some who seemed determined to take this enforced separation even more seriously by doing everything they could to socially distance themselves from the rest of the fleet. Some, like Mike Sims/Mark Lunn (1488) and Nick Craig/Katie Burridge (1500) chose to scorch off the front of the fleet into unspoilt areas of clear air on the race track while others, went for the odd swim to let the bulk of the fleet pass.

But for most of the fleet the racing was everything we have missed this season. Good courses, tricky tactics, close racing and plenty of on the water banter. The Inland Champs was as active and competitive as you would expect and very welcomed by all.

The weather was the hardest thing to figure out. The low pressure system that was sitting over the UK and that had been teasing the Met Office all week as it meandered around the middle of the country, dragging its heels like a teenager on a family shopping trip, was making it very difficult to produce a reliable forecast. A small movement either way looked set to deliver anything from flat calm to 25 knots. The only real facts that could be garnered from the various forecasts that changed by the hour was that this would be a day where sailing to what you saw would be key. Plus, it would rain. And it did, all day. But even that couldn’t stop the fleet.

Over the course of four back to back races, (with only one general recall, a miracle in itself), wind speeds ranged from 8-14knots from the south. With the windward mark tucked up towards the shoreline the trees and higher ground did their best to stir up the breeze into a code of puffs and shifts that few seemed to be able to decipher with any confidence.

“I didn’t get a single downwind leg right all day,” said Nick Craig afterwards.

Mind you, with a scoreline that read 1,5,2,7 many of us only dream of misreading conditions like that.

Craig & Co were being chased hard by Steve and Sarah Cockerill (1489) who were having their own struggle on points at least with Sam Knight/Chris Bownes (1235).

By the end of the four race mini series overall victory went to Mike Sims and Mark Lunn with an impressive and perfectly socially distanced 2,1,1,6.

Yet despite such an impressive performance Simms and Lunn had to settle with the strangest of prize givings as they were invited to collect their trophies from a table outside the club.

The 2020 Inland Championships were certainly different this year, but it was clear from the comments in the dinghy park that the competitors were extremely grateful for the efforts of all of those behind the scenes, from Grafham Water SC, the title sponsor Rooster Sailing and the RS Class Association, who had held their nerve to make it happen in very difficult and testing circumstances. And if this was how the fleet gets afloat in the current crisis, so be it.

It takes a lot to keep the 400s away.

 

Overall 

1 – Mike Sims/Mark Lunn (1488)

2 – Nick Craig/Katie Burridge (1500)

3 – Stephen Cockerill/Sarah Cockerill (1489)

Check out the results in full here.

SUBSCRIBE

  • Sign up for RS stories, offers, epic wipeout videos and much more!
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Grant Dalton OBE on Introducing His Son to Sailing: Why the RS Quest is the Perfect Fit

When it comes to sailing, few names are as well-respected as Grant Dalton OBE, CEO of Emirates Team New Zealand. With six Volvo and Whitbread races under his belt, and his wealth of experience and...

Iconic British rope manufacturer Kingfisher Yacht Ropes sponsors RS Fest Miami

RS Sailing are excited to announce a new sponsor onboard for RS Fest Miami 2025, iconic British rope manufacturer Kingfisher Yacht Ropes. The second edition of RS Fest Miami, our multi-class RS...

The RS Feva Eurocup Series is back for 2025!

The International RS Feva Class are excited to announce the Eurocup Series is back for 2025.   Check out the calendar and event details below;   Eurocup 1 19-21 April 2025 RS Feva French...

1 month to go until the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show 2025

It's one month until our favourite Boat Show of the year, the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show! We're buzzing with excitement to welcome you onto our magenta carpet, with the RS Team and a boatload...

RS Sailing at boot Düsseldorf 2025: What’s On The Stand?

It's showtime! The magenta carpet is rolled out... we are excited to return to boot Düsseldorf, one of the largest boat shows in the world. This year’s exhibition marks a significant milestone for...

2025 RS Venture Connect European Championship to take place in Norway

By the RS Venture Connect Class The RS Venture Connect Class is pleased to announce that the 2025 European Championship will be hosted by the Royal Norwegian Yacht Club (KNS) in Oslo, Norway. This...

10 events of 2025 – 2025 RS21 UK & Ireland Cup

Event – 2025 RS21 UK & Ireland Cup Event Dates - 6 events from April through to October 2025 Format - 6 Rounds, 50 Races, 1 Champion! Hosted by - Hamble One Design Spring Champs, Royal...

UK & Irish RS400 National Championship

Event – UK & Irish RS400 National Championship Event Dates - 3rd to 8th August 2025* Hosted by - Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club Where – Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club, Cultra,...

10 events of 2025 – RS Feva Sail GP Inspire Program 2025

Event - RS Feva Sail GP Inspire Program 2025 Event Dates - 16-19th January 2025 Hosted by - SailGP Inspire & Royal Akarana Yacht Club Where - Royal Akarana Yacht Club, Auckland, New Zealand...

10 events of 2025 – RS500 World Championship 2025

Event - RS500 World Championship 2025 Event Dates - 4-8th August 2025* Hosted by - Gruppo Vela LNI Follonica Where - Gruppo Vela LNI Follonica, Follonica, Italy How to enter - The NOR isn't released...

Iconic British rope manufacturer Kingfisher Yacht Ropes sponsors RS Fest Miami

RS Sailing are excited to announce a new sponsor onboard for RS Fest Miami 2025, iconic British rope manufacturer Kingfisher Yacht Ropes. The second edition of RS Fest Miami, our multi-class RS...

The RS Feva Eurocup Series is back for 2025!

The International RS Feva Class are excited to announce the Eurocup Series is back for 2025.   Check out the calendar and event details below;   Eurocup 1 19-21 April 2025 RS Feva French...

1 month to go until the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show 2025

It's one month until our favourite Boat Show of the year, the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show! We're buzzing with excitement to welcome you onto our magenta carpet, with the RS Team and a boatload...

RS Sailing at boot Düsseldorf 2025: What’s On The Stand?

It's showtime! The magenta carpet is rolled out... we are excited to return to boot Düsseldorf, one of the largest boat shows in the world. This year’s exhibition marks a significant milestone for...

2025 RS Venture Connect European Championship to take place in Norway

By the RS Venture Connect Class The RS Venture Connect Class is pleased to announce that the 2025 European Championship will be hosted by the Royal Norwegian Yacht Club (KNS) in Oslo, Norway. This...

10 events of 2025 – 2025 RS21 UK & Ireland Cup

Event – 2025 RS21 UK & Ireland Cup Event Dates - 6 events from April through to October 2025 Format - 6 Rounds, 50 Races, 1 Champion! Hosted by - Hamble One Design Spring Champs, Royal...

UK & Irish RS400 National Championship

Event – UK & Irish RS400 National Championship Event Dates - 3rd to 8th August 2025* Hosted by - Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club Where – Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club, Cultra,...

10 events of 2025 – RS Feva Sail GP Inspire Program 2025

Event - RS Feva Sail GP Inspire Program 2025 Event Dates - 16-19th January 2025 Hosted by - SailGP Inspire & Royal Akarana Yacht Club Where - Royal Akarana Yacht Club, Auckland, New Zealand...

10 events of 2025 – RS500 World Championship 2025

Event - RS500 World Championship 2025 Event Dates - 4-8th August 2025* Hosted by - Gruppo Vela LNI Follonica Where - Gruppo Vela LNI Follonica, Follonica, Italy How to enter - The NOR isn't released...

10 events of 2025 – RS200 National Championship

Event – RS200 Noble Marine National Championship 2025 Event Dates - 3rd to 8th August 2025* Event Schedule - Sunday 3rd - optional coaching, a gate start seminar, race briefing and commodores's...

The RS Feva Eurocup Series is back for 2025!

The International RS Feva Class are excited to announce the Eurocup Series is back for 2025.   Check out the calendar and event details below;   Eurocup 1 19-21 April 2025 RS Feva French...

1 month to go until the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show 2025

It's one month until our favourite Boat Show of the year, the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show! We're buzzing with excitement to welcome you onto our magenta carpet, with the RS Team and a boatload...

RS Sailing at boot Düsseldorf 2025: What’s On The Stand?

It's showtime! The magenta carpet is rolled out... we are excited to return to boot Düsseldorf, one of the largest boat shows in the world. This year’s exhibition marks a significant milestone for...

2025 RS Venture Connect European Championship to take place in Norway

By the RS Venture Connect Class The RS Venture Connect Class is pleased to announce that the 2025 European Championship will be hosted by the Royal Norwegian Yacht Club (KNS) in Oslo, Norway. This...

10 events of 2025 – 2025 RS21 UK & Ireland Cup

Event – 2025 RS21 UK & Ireland Cup Event Dates - 6 events from April through to October 2025 Format - 6 Rounds, 50 Races, 1 Champion! Hosted by - Hamble One Design Spring Champs, Royal...

UK & Irish RS400 National Championship

Event – UK & Irish RS400 National Championship Event Dates - 3rd to 8th August 2025* Hosted by - Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club Where – Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club, Cultra,...

10 events of 2025 – RS Feva Sail GP Inspire Program 2025

Event - RS Feva Sail GP Inspire Program 2025 Event Dates - 16-19th January 2025 Hosted by - SailGP Inspire & Royal Akarana Yacht Club Where - Royal Akarana Yacht Club, Auckland, New Zealand...

10 events of 2025 – RS500 World Championship 2025

Event - RS500 World Championship 2025 Event Dates - 4-8th August 2025* Hosted by - Gruppo Vela LNI Follonica Where - Gruppo Vela LNI Follonica, Follonica, Italy How to enter - The NOR isn't released...

10 events of 2025 – RS200 National Championship

Event – RS200 Noble Marine National Championship 2025 Event Dates - 3rd to 8th August 2025* Event Schedule - Sunday 3rd - optional coaching, a gate start seminar, race briefing and commodores's...

10 events of 2025 – RS21 World Championship 2025

Event - RS21 World Championship 2025 Event Dates - 24-27 September 2025* Where - Tuscany, Italy. The International RS21 Class Association, in collaboration with RS Sailing and the RS21...

1 month to go until the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show 2025

It's one month until our favourite Boat Show of the year, the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show! We're buzzing with excitement to welcome you onto our magenta carpet, with the RS Team and a boatload...

RS Sailing at boot Düsseldorf 2025: What’s On The Stand?

It's showtime! The magenta carpet is rolled out... we are excited to return to boot Düsseldorf, one of the largest boat shows in the world. This year’s exhibition marks a significant milestone for...

2025 RS Venture Connect European Championship to take place in Norway

By the RS Venture Connect Class The RS Venture Connect Class is pleased to announce that the 2025 European Championship will be hosted by the Royal Norwegian Yacht Club (KNS) in Oslo, Norway. This...

10 events of 2025 – 2025 RS21 UK & Ireland Cup

Event – 2025 RS21 UK & Ireland Cup Event Dates - 6 events from April through to October 2025 Format - 6 Rounds, 50 Races, 1 Champion! Hosted by - Hamble One Design Spring Champs, Royal...

UK & Irish RS400 National Championship

Event – UK & Irish RS400 National Championship Event Dates - 3rd to 8th August 2025* Hosted by - Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club Where – Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club, Cultra,...

10 events of 2025 – RS Feva Sail GP Inspire Program 2025

Event - RS Feva Sail GP Inspire Program 2025 Event Dates - 16-19th January 2025 Hosted by - SailGP Inspire & Royal Akarana Yacht Club Where - Royal Akarana Yacht Club, Auckland, New Zealand...

10 events of 2025 – RS500 World Championship 2025

Event - RS500 World Championship 2025 Event Dates - 4-8th August 2025* Hosted by - Gruppo Vela LNI Follonica Where - Gruppo Vela LNI Follonica, Follonica, Italy How to enter - The NOR isn't released...

10 events of 2025 – RS200 National Championship

Event – RS200 Noble Marine National Championship 2025 Event Dates - 3rd to 8th August 2025* Event Schedule - Sunday 3rd - optional coaching, a gate start seminar, race briefing and commodores's...

10 events of 2025 – RS21 World Championship 2025

Event - RS21 World Championship 2025 Event Dates - 24-27 September 2025* Where - Tuscany, Italy. The International RS21 Class Association, in collaboration with RS Sailing and the RS21...

10 events of 2025 – RS Fest Miami 2025

Event – RS Fest Miami 2025 Event Dates : March 28th - 30th 2025 Hosted by – Coconut Grove Sailing Club Where – Miami, USA at Coconut Grove Sailing Club Dates – Check out the full...

Pin It on Pinterest