Noble Marine RS600 National Championship at Eastbourne Sovereign Sailing Club - Day 3
by Andrew Peake 15 Sep 06:13 NZST
12-15 September 2024
Another day, another light and shifty offshore zephyr greeted today's contenders. Andy Jeffries, Eastbourne SC Commodore, confidently predicted a sea breeze. Given his wizened looks and years of sitting in the bar gazing seaward, we all sat ashore optimistically waiting for his prediction to come true... and so it did. Jeffries... forever onwards to be known as Gandalf.
Talking of old blokes, there was a new part time entrant in today's races, Andy White, here just for the weekend. An old face amongst the new faces of the 600 fleet. He last stepped in the boat 25 years ago. For those that weren't alive back then, phones had cords, woke meant awake and Brexit was a chocolate bar. Andy was fast but his reputation didn't precede him...that's the problem with being so old, nobody remembers you. A mistake we'd all live to regret.
Race one got away after a short postponement. Flat wiring, blue skies, nice little chop, surely this couldn't last? After a few individual recalls the fleet headed westwards. Plenty of handy 10 degree shifts saw experience count as Andy Peake and White (yes, Andy White, last in a 600 25 years ago) rounded first and second. Dave Jaaaa Vuuu...these two last found themselves in this predicament in 700s 20 years ago. Sadly, White's aged memory couldn't recall how to sail fast with the wind behind. He was literally swallowed by Gen Z as he wallowed in the waves. Jamie however showed us how to do it, he fought through to take the lead from Peake which was how it finished. Dickie Smith in 3rd (he can remember when Fred and Wilma were alive. Not even fixed line phones back then).
Race two and another pin bias line. Although not everyone had clocked the bias, those that did stormed off. Andy Peake to the first buoy first. Some place swapping behind from which Rich Bone emerged victorious. Peake and Bone battled like is was 1983. Tooth and nail. Blow matched by counter blow. No quarter given. Two old adversaries matching each other for tack, gybe and the odd pump here and there. Bone swung a massive haymaker in the last 100 metres of the last leg, Peake ducked and Bone was left to pick up a well deserved second place from Peake in first. Ian Marshall came in 3rd, yes, that's Ian Marshall who pushed the Wright brothers down their grassy hill in the 19th century. Well sailed Ian. I SAID WELL SAILED IAN.
Race three and the wind had dropped. We said it couldn't last and it didn't. Starboard end bias this time. Although Mike Iszatt ignored this and started at the pin. He knew something the rest of us didn't. Never bang a corner...unless you're Mike. One tack and in. 200 metres ahead of the nearest old bloke, Andy White. The battle of the day ensued. White, Iszart, Mawson, George Smith and Peake. White again showed his guile and took a hint from Mike's first lap playbook, apart from banging the other corner. It paid. And even with his suboptimal downwind speed he stayed at the front until the end. Congrats Andy. Now don't darken this fleet's door again.
Most importantly, Mawson's second place in the last race saw him seal the Nationals title. Proof that youth wins out in the end. Jamie has been a supporter of the class for many years. He's sailed a very consistent regatta so a well deserved champion. Your name's on the trophy now Jamie. Forever to be remembered.