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

RS700 Inland Championship 2020 – A typically Autumnal blast for the fearless RS700 fleet

October 28, 2020
RS700 Inland Championship 2020

RS700 Rooster Inland Championship at Oxford Sailing Club 24-25 October 2020
Report by Ben Cooper

No two ways about it, the forecast was accurate and strong. A typically Autumnal blast, plenty of rain and leaves flying everywhere. A spectacular drive to Oxford Sailing club for the RS700 Rooster Inlands on 24th and 25th October. It was a very good turnout for the weekend, given all the restrictions in place. Some decided wisely to keep the powder dry for Sunday, with just a few foolhardy souls set out for the first day, three races back to back, four laps each race, and then some weary souls lugging boats back up the slipway afterwards. The wind direction was from the South, blowing down across the lake from the hills behind and bouncing through a forest of trees giving the optimistically minded a lot of opportunities for gains on the race course. Gusty it was. I have no idea on the numbers, but I would guess over 20 knots for the day and gusts well above at times. Apparently it rained as well. Onto the racing.

Day one, half the fleet wisely stayed ashore to watch the carnage unfold.

Race one – A leg stretcher for most, to banish any nervousness for the conditions. A slight committee boat bias bunched the fleet to the weather end, and a good start was had by most. Well apart from a bit of jostling that ended up with one on their side. Most of the fleet headed left, the short course favouring minimal manoeuvres. At the windward mark a few arrived at once and the lead was taken by Rob Higgins. A large squall blasted across the lake on the first run and took out the leaders allowing a surprised Ben Cooper to capitalise and hold off the fleet to the end, with Richard Wadsworth chasing down quickly and Theo Gayler recovering excellently from a start line capsize to come in 3rd.

Race two – A similar weather pattern, although a squall and a large left shift at the start suddenly left the pin end favoured and open for a port end flyer. Another hard four laps, with multiple capsizes and place changes gave Rob Higgins the well deserved win chased hard by Theo Gayler and Matt Conner.

Race three – The left shift at the start appeared again and the pin was a little more biased and taken advantage of by Theo Gayler and Ben Cooper who crossed the fleet comfortably with glee. The breeze increased rapidly during the race and survival and minimising capsizes was the winning technique. Theo Gayler and Richard Wadsworth proved to be most adept and crossed first and second. Ben Cooper managed to just get ahead of Rob Higgings on the line. The fun really started at the end of day one when a huge squall flattened most on the lake who hadn’t yet finished, some who had just finished, and the close proximity of finishing line to the reservoir wall caught some out. All credit to the members of the fleet who had finished to run out and help those who had been caught out and blown onto the wall.

Day two dawned sunny with a gentle breeze. Quite the opposite of the previous day. Fresh faces joined the war-torn bodies of the previous day to bulk the fleet for an excellent turnout. A slowly building breeze and plenty of sun met the fleet.

Race four – Perhaps inspired by the previous day, a group headed for the pin for the first start, unfortunately for them, the shift was against at the start and the prosperous started at the windward end of the line and held a comfortable advantage. Ben Cooper headed out this bunch and put some distance on the fleet on the first lap. Unfortunately on the second run a beating Contender slipped off his invisibility cloak and appeared right in front (that’s my story anyway). An attempted crash gybe lead to a crash capsize and the fleet sailed past headed to the finish by Matt Carter, Rob Higgins and Richard Wadsworth.

Race five – conditions were close to perfect: sunny wtih an increasing breeze. A very square start line put the fleet more equal for the first beat. Those that headed left prospered; Theo Gayler started well and led from start to finish followed by Richard Wadsworth and Ben Cooper with a rapidly approaching Rob Higgins in fourth.

Race six – A slight right shift at the start put those at the windward end in favour again. Theo Gayler and Ben Cooper rounded the windward mark together followed by Rob Higgins. A misjudged layline by Ben Cooper let Rob Higgins catch the leading two up and the three arrived at the leeward mark with a large bunch of Contenders. Ben Cooper was forced low which didn’t turn out well. Rob Higgins stayed high and overtook Theo Gayler and held on for the win. Ben Cooper was third and a fast approaching Richard Wadsworth was fourth.

It was an epic end of the year event, making many stories to be told and embellished over the Winter. Theo Gayler was the worthy champion having built a consistent series. Rob Higgins pushed hard to a well deserved second place.
A huge thanks to Oxford Sailing Club from the RS700 class for putting an excellent event on in challenging circumstances. In particular thanks must go to Richard and Maggie Hall and their team for running the racing, all the rescue boat crew and the catering crew for keeping us fed. Thank you to Rooster for being our great event and national tour sponsor.

The RS700 class is regrowing rapidly offering a huge amount of bang for buck, great performance and a challenge to sail, but with competitive second hand boats available from £2 – £4,000 and some excellent venues for 2021 including Garda, there is no better time to join the class for some socially distanced Winter practice ready for, hopefully, a new dawn in 2021.

SUBSCRIBE

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

Make RS Sailing Part of Your ‘Winter Sun’ Vacation

One of the best parts about going on vacation is the chance to get away and try new things. And for anyone living in a place without palm trees, winter vacations usually entail heading to snow, or...

RS Aero UK Youth Championships 2023 – Burghfield SC

Burghfield Sailing Club welcomed twenty lively, up-and-coming RS Aero youth sailors to compete for the UK National Youth Champion titles. Joining them was American Dylan Williams, flying over for...

Sailboat Deliveries announced as Title Sponsor for RS600 Riva Eurocup 2024

The RS600 fleet are hugely excited to have been invited to join the 2024 Riva Cup, to be held at Fraglia del Riva in Lake Garda, 29th May to 31st June 2024. The invitation has created a real buzz in...

Recap of the Top 5 North American Events in 2023

It was a busy summer for RS sailors with several North American championships. Here is a recap of some of the key events in North America: RS Feva North American Championship (New York, July 17th -...

RS21 Italian Class present Sustainability Masterclass with World Sailing – 29 November 2023

The RS21 Italian Class will present a sustainability masterclass on 29th November 2023 as part of the World Sailing Sustainability Sessions.  The leading class in sustainability, the RS21 Italian...

RS500 End of Seasons Regatta & Rooster National Tour 2023 Finale at Rutland SC

A number of RS Sailing classes braved the cold, wind and rain and had a smashing time at Rutland Sailing Club on the weekend of the 4th-5th November 2023. The race team set superb windward leeward...

RS400 Rooster National Tour – End of Seasons Finale 2023 at Rutland SC

The final remnants of Storm Ciaran made a damp and chilly start at Rutland Sailing Club for the 15 hard crews who battled through the downpours for the final RS400 Rooster National Tour event of...

RS300 Rooster National Tour – End of Seasons & Inland Nationals 2023 at Rutland SC

The fewer sailors, the greater share of honours! Pete said “Come to the End of Seasons, it will be great!” Not sure on Pete’s interpretation of “Great” (the weather on Saturday was interesting) but...

Magenta Monday: Special Offers in November at RS Sailing

We're celebrating the end of the sailing season with Magenta Monday deals throughout November! Every Monday we will release a selection of limited offers. The #MagentaMonday promotions will feature...

RS Boats For North America to Discover

Known as the world’s largest small-sailboat brand, RS Sailing not only designs innovative models that are chosen by leading organizations globally, but it also builds vibrant class communities. The...

RS Aero UK Youth Championships 2023 – Burghfield SC

Burghfield Sailing Club welcomed twenty lively, up-and-coming RS Aero youth sailors to compete for the UK National Youth Champion titles. Joining them was American Dylan Williams, flying over for...

Sailboat Deliveries announced as Title Sponsor for RS600 Riva Eurocup 2024

The RS600 fleet are hugely excited to have been invited to join the 2024 Riva Cup, to be held at Fraglia del Riva in Lake Garda, 29th May to 31st June 2024. The invitation has created a real buzz in...

Recap of the Top 5 North American Events in 2023

It was a busy summer for RS sailors with several North American championships. Here is a recap of some of the key events in North America: RS Feva North American Championship (New York, July 17th -...

RS21 Italian Class present Sustainability Masterclass with World Sailing – 29 November 2023

The RS21 Italian Class will present a sustainability masterclass on 29th November 2023 as part of the World Sailing Sustainability Sessions.  The leading class in sustainability, the RS21 Italian...

RS500 End of Seasons Regatta & Rooster National Tour 2023 Finale at Rutland SC

A number of RS Sailing classes braved the cold, wind and rain and had a smashing time at Rutland Sailing Club on the weekend of the 4th-5th November 2023. The race team set superb windward leeward...

RS400 Rooster National Tour – End of Seasons Finale 2023 at Rutland SC

The final remnants of Storm Ciaran made a damp and chilly start at Rutland Sailing Club for the 15 hard crews who battled through the downpours for the final RS400 Rooster National Tour event of...

RS300 Rooster National Tour – End of Seasons & Inland Nationals 2023 at Rutland SC

The fewer sailors, the greater share of honours! Pete said “Come to the End of Seasons, it will be great!” Not sure on Pete’s interpretation of “Great” (the weather on Saturday was interesting) but...

Magenta Monday: Special Offers in November at RS Sailing

We're celebrating the end of the sailing season with Magenta Monday deals throughout November! Every Monday we will release a selection of limited offers. The #MagentaMonday promotions will feature...

RS Boats For North America to Discover

Known as the world’s largest small-sailboat brand, RS Sailing not only designs innovative models that are chosen by leading organizations globally, but it also builds vibrant class communities. The...

RS Aero Legend Ken Fowler Nominated for ‘British Sailor of the Year’  

There are over 200 islands off the coast of England and Wales - 262 to be exact. - and Ken Fowler has sailed around every single one of them! What started as a simple challenge to raise money for...

Sailboat Deliveries announced as Title Sponsor for RS600 Riva Eurocup 2024

The RS600 fleet are hugely excited to have been invited to join the 2024 Riva Cup, to be held at Fraglia del Riva in Lake Garda, 29th May to 31st June 2024. The invitation has created a real buzz in...

Recap of the Top 5 North American Events in 2023

It was a busy summer for RS sailors with several North American championships. Here is a recap of some of the key events in North America: RS Feva North American Championship (New York, July 17th -...

RS21 Italian Class present Sustainability Masterclass with World Sailing – 29 November 2023

The RS21 Italian Class will present a sustainability masterclass on 29th November 2023 as part of the World Sailing Sustainability Sessions.  The leading class in sustainability, the RS21 Italian...

RS500 End of Seasons Regatta & Rooster National Tour 2023 Finale at Rutland SC

A number of RS Sailing classes braved the cold, wind and rain and had a smashing time at Rutland Sailing Club on the weekend of the 4th-5th November 2023. The race team set superb windward leeward...

RS400 Rooster National Tour – End of Seasons Finale 2023 at Rutland SC

The final remnants of Storm Ciaran made a damp and chilly start at Rutland Sailing Club for the 15 hard crews who battled through the downpours for the final RS400 Rooster National Tour event of...

RS300 Rooster National Tour – End of Seasons & Inland Nationals 2023 at Rutland SC

The fewer sailors, the greater share of honours! Pete said “Come to the End of Seasons, it will be great!” Not sure on Pete’s interpretation of “Great” (the weather on Saturday was interesting) but...

Magenta Monday: Special Offers in November at RS Sailing

We're celebrating the end of the sailing season with Magenta Monday deals throughout November! Every Monday we will release a selection of limited offers. The #MagentaMonday promotions will feature...

RS Boats For North America to Discover

Known as the world’s largest small-sailboat brand, RS Sailing not only designs innovative models that are chosen by leading organizations globally, but it also builds vibrant class communities. The...

RS Aero Legend Ken Fowler Nominated for ‘British Sailor of the Year’  

There are over 200 islands off the coast of England and Wales - 262 to be exact. - and Ken Fowler has sailed around every single one of them! What started as a simple challenge to raise money for...

RS Fest Miami 2024: the first EVER multi-class RS Sailing event in North America!

“Party in the city where the heat is on… We’re goin’ to Miami!” Get ready for the RS Fest Miami, the first EVER major multi-class RS Sailing event in North America. The three-day regatta is a...

Recap of the Top 5 North American Events in 2023

It was a busy summer for RS sailors with several North American championships. Here is a recap of some of the key events in North America: RS Feva North American Championship (New York, July 17th -...

RS21 Italian Class present Sustainability Masterclass with World Sailing – 29 November 2023

The RS21 Italian Class will present a sustainability masterclass on 29th November 2023 as part of the World Sailing Sustainability Sessions.  The leading class in sustainability, the RS21 Italian...

RS500 End of Seasons Regatta & Rooster National Tour 2023 Finale at Rutland SC

A number of RS Sailing classes braved the cold, wind and rain and had a smashing time at Rutland Sailing Club on the weekend of the 4th-5th November 2023. The race team set superb windward leeward...

RS400 Rooster National Tour – End of Seasons Finale 2023 at Rutland SC

The final remnants of Storm Ciaran made a damp and chilly start at Rutland Sailing Club for the 15 hard crews who battled through the downpours for the final RS400 Rooster National Tour event of...

RS300 Rooster National Tour – End of Seasons & Inland Nationals 2023 at Rutland SC

The fewer sailors, the greater share of honours! Pete said “Come to the End of Seasons, it will be great!” Not sure on Pete’s interpretation of “Great” (the weather on Saturday was interesting) but...

Magenta Monday: Special Offers in November at RS Sailing

We're celebrating the end of the sailing season with Magenta Monday deals throughout November! Every Monday we will release a selection of limited offers. The #MagentaMonday promotions will feature...

RS Boats For North America to Discover

Known as the world’s largest small-sailboat brand, RS Sailing not only designs innovative models that are chosen by leading organizations globally, but it also builds vibrant class communities. The...

RS Aero Legend Ken Fowler Nominated for ‘British Sailor of the Year’  

There are over 200 islands off the coast of England and Wales - 262 to be exact. - and Ken Fowler has sailed around every single one of them! What started as a simple challenge to raise money for...

RS Fest Miami 2024: the first EVER multi-class RS Sailing event in North America!

“Party in the city where the heat is on… We’re goin’ to Miami!” Get ready for the RS Fest Miami, the first EVER major multi-class RS Sailing event in North America. The three-day regatta is a...

RS Sailing Enters into Preferred Vendor Partner Agreement with Crystal Lagoons

RS Sailing is proud to announce the entrance into a preferred vendor partner agreement with Crystal Lagoons. A developer of state-of-the-art sustainable technology, Crystal Lagoons is a...

Pin It on Pinterest