RS Elite National Championship 2021 at HISC

25 July 2021

Tom Hewitson and crew (Colin Smith and Jo Hewitson) sailing RS Elite 7 Shaken Not Stirred have won the RS Elite National Championship at Hayling Island Sailing Club.

The winds on the final day of the event were extremely light and variable and the competitors had to endure a long wait in the race area in rain before a race could be started. Through the persistence of Mark Darling and his race team a single race was eventually started before the deadline of 1400 after which no warning signal could be given, when a south-westerly sea breeze set in at around 1330.

In the event the first six positions were unchanged from day 3. Shaken Not Stirred's final points score was 16, giving clear separation from Russell Peters and crew (Zeb Elliott and James Grant) who took second place with a final score of 21 after failing to finish the last race, making it necessary to count a previous six points discard. Ossie Stewart and crew (Tom Stewart and Alice Masterman) in RS Elite 67 More T Vicar took third place with a final points total of 32 and Paul Fisk and crew (Richard Tucker and Pippa Jubb) in RS Elite 110 Noughty Legs Eleven took fourth with 34 points. Fifth Place went to Peter Copsey and crew (Debbie Jarvis and Tom Darling) in The Doctor. The Doctor found form towards the end of the series, winning races seven and nine and finishing on 38 points. Sixth place went to Roddy Bowerman, Owen Bowerman and Midge Watkins in RS Elite 40 Basil, with Owen Bowerman on the helm, who finished with 45 points.

Overall the racing went extremely well with impeccable race management which was appreciated by all the competitors. A major problem arose when two of the club's kitchen staff tested positive for Covid 19 making it necessary to close he clubhouse and cancel the social functions scheduled to be held there. Several people stepped in to help fill the gap with informal events taking place in Tom and Jo Hewitson's garden and Neil Fulcher's yacht moored in Sparkes Marina. Richard Tucker, crew of Noughty Legs Eleven deserves special mention for cooking paella. RS Elite sailors will never be denied a party!

Soak Insure who have introduced a new insurance scheme for RS Elite owners provided free beer for the competitors at the prize-giving. This was much appreciated by some very tired, very wet sailors.

Last but not least was the award of the main Duckham's trophy (a mounted carpet tile that a past Nationals competitor found stuck to the bottom of his keel - it had been used to protect the boat in transit - after a particularly poor championship performance), was awarded to Hayling Island Sailing Club. The club earned this dubious honour after the class dinner was cancelled due to the Covid alert and it was necessary for a visitor to do the cooking at an off-site party. The trophy was graciously accepted by HISC commodore Andy Partington (RS Elite 66 Lazy Daisy).

Overall Results: