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Noble Marine RS700 National Championship 2024 at Hayling Island Sailing Club - Overall

by Rob Higgins 20 Sep 04:46 NZST 12-15 September 2024

The fourth and final day of the 2024 RS700 Nationals had a similar feel. Too many dark and stormies from the previous night were being regretted, breakfasts were being demolished and mirror-like conditions again met the fleet. Just like the last two days though wind was forecast, the fleet just had to wait for it.

After a postponement the fleet drifted out on the tide into the stunning Hayling Bay to wait for the breeze. At first it didn't look promising but all of a sudden the fans got switched on, the race team sprang into action and we were into race nine.

Although the top step of the podium had been confirmed the next two steps were far from done. Current European champion Matt Carter, James Clark, Robbie Bell and Jack Grogan all sat tightly bunched on points.

10 knots and some funky Hayling chop led to some challenging conditions. Rob Higgins got the cleanest lane out to the left-hand side and tacked to clear the fleet. Behind James Clark continued his late charge to round comfortably in second. Matt Carter knew he just had to keep the gap to James to a minimum and rounded next in a tight pack. Rob extended away to take the win with James coming home in second. Colin Dacey had a great second beat to overtake Matt into third but couldn't quite hold onto it on the run home.

Race ten: With the cut-off time for racing fast approaching the ever efficient race team set a course, raised the black flag and got the fleet into the final race. James Clark hit the line hard and led the charge over to the left-hand side. His eyes must have lit up when he looked back to see Matt Carter getting second row off the line. He rounded the top mark just in front of fellow Chew sailor Rob. James Bayliss (despite his lack of time in the boat) was again showing his speed to lead a tightly bunched chasing pack.

A dodgy hoist from James Clark allowed Rob through. A split at the bottom gate saw James Clark sail in his own personal wind bend to take the lead. Matt Carter quickly made his way through the fleet. James took the win and could only hope for others help to leapfrog Matt. Rob came in second with Matt showing why he is European champion recovering to take third and keep hold of second place overall.

At the prize-giving Race Officer Mark Darling drew the raffle for the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust. The prize was an RS700 spinnaker generously donated by RS Sailing. The lucky winner was Mike Banks.

A very big thank you to Hayling Island Sailing Club for providing an excellent full series of ten races and for looking after us so well on the shore. Thank you to our title sponsor Noble Marine, Fernhurst Books our Endeavour prize sponsor, and Rooster our prize-giving sponsor.

Overall Results:

PosFleetSail NoHelmClubR1R2R3R4R5R6R7R8R9R10Pts
1stGold1055Rob HigginsChew Valley Lake SC111‑22‑5111210
2ndGold1062Matt CarterLancing SC‑122314‑6263324
3rdGold765James ClarkChew Valley Lake SC6‑76412‑1032125
4thGold1031Robbie BellSnettisham Beach SC48758‑17325‑942
5thGold725Jack GroganWMYC/Dabchicks3‑11‑9734749542
6thGold848Tom PlayfordSnettisham Beach SC54‑1265‑115510646
7thGold1058John BoothStokes Bay SC115536112(DNF)15‑2158
8thGold710Nathan SteffenoniWeston SC7‑1221110‑169861265
9thGold944James BaylissItchenor SC‑171010‑20774178467
10thGold1027Colin DaceySnettisham Beach SC1068‑241213‑17104871
11thGold966Mike BanksDabchicks SC8‑14118‑1331111111073
12thGold951Marek DudakYC Cere1331410‑229‑2212141186
13thGold720Richard WadsworthRNSA/Stokes Bay SC215‑1917‑20188771488
14thGold1042Pete PurkissBrightlingsea SC9204916226(UFD)12(DNC)98
15thGold1060Matt ConnerQMSC1491513‑17‑191591313101
16thSilver827Sam CaslinDabchicks SC1617(DNF)1498‑23131615108
17thSilver1022Ian SwannHISC181321‑221510162018‑23131
18thSilver1067Peter OnionsDraycote Water‑24‑211612191219162018132
19thBronze926Simon ClarkLyme Regis SC‑2218221514201414‑2816133
20thSilver1068Roland SmithHISC21‑2218‑23181513151722139
21stSilver778Oliver GroganDSC19‑231719‑212118191919151
22ndSilver1043Jiri KuthanYC Liskovec20‑2413‑2523242121237152
23rdSilver761Thomas DuttonDabchicks SC151920162525(DNF)(DNF)2117158
24thBronze1063Elliot BooleyChew Valley Lake SC23162321‑24‑2624232424178
25thBronze929Jack WillsLancing SC(DNF)(DNF)DNC181123252222DNF179
26thBronze931Malcolm StreetonHISC(DNS)(DNS)DNCDNCDNC1420182520184
27thBronze763Sam SimmondsChew Valley Lake SC2525(DNF)26262727(DNF)2625207
28thBronze801Stephen CarrBrightlingsea SC2626242727(DNF)26(DNF)2726209

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