|
 The RS 200 fleet faced what could easily have been a tough test in 2008. Two extremely successful seasons down but could the momentum be maintained. I do not think anyone expected the same level of growth and commitment could be maintained. But overall the challenge has been met and the fleet remains in good health with more new members yet again.
During last winter Derek and Fiona finally took the plunge and arrived at the start of the season with a brand new boat. Late in the year John Draper surprised everyone by moving from an expression of interest to launching his new boat in double quick time. I guess when the bug bites it is hard to resist. It turns out John is an experienced sailor who has been off the water for a few years. Once his body is able to do what his head is telling it, he will be a real force in the class! On top of that existing members Neil and Ian Parkhurst, Jeremy Collins and Steve Hanby all upgraded their boats. It`s good to know that everyone is having the level of enjoyment that makes you want to invest in new boats. 
So how did everyone shape up during the 2008 racing season? The key thing to note about the racing has been the number of different winners there has been. I predicted last year that the racing was far closer than the results sheet indicated and this year has proved that to be correct. As usual the MSDS Northern Tour Event was early in the season and yet again it blew, really hard. Despite the stormy forecast 20 boats signed on for the ride of their lives. Andy and Kate took the honours again but it was close. An OCS in the penultimate race appeared very costly but then Wayne and Debbie Fletchers mast came tumbling down in the final race which left them second and Mike Saul and Sophie Hartley third. The Spring, Summer and Autumn Points were a season long tussle between Jeremy Collins and Steve Hanby with the final score 2-1 in Jeremy and Julies favour. The points were close in every series with the rest of the fleet snapping at their heels. The 200`s had a great year in the club handicap events with victories in the Marathon, Beaver Regatta and Plough Cup. Steve and Richard Hanby with their crews Hannah Bellamy and Lydia Parkhurst took the Marathon with 200`s second and third. The Beaver Regatta was good for the 200`s with 1st going to Tony and Henry Wetherell, with Martin Penty and Pippa Fletcher in second with 4th and 5th going to 200`s as well. Tony and Henry also won the Plough Cup. If all these names sound a bit familiar then the winners of the Trophy race will not. First overall were none other than Derek and Fiona Simmonds who marked a very good first season by putting their names onto the Cup. Over the season sixteen different 200`s raced in club events and over half of them made the top three overall in the main series and Trophy races. I think that means the class is fully established as a racing fleet. There are no easy races and everyone in the fleet has a real chance of getting into the top three. The Fleet seem to like to travel in numbers with a lot going to Ullswater Regatta Week and Filey Regatta. Both are great events in fantastic locations. I think it might have rained a bit in Ullswater, it did everywhere else at the beginning of August. All reports indicate that it takes more than a monsoon to spoil the party at Ullswater. Filey was great on Saturday but a bit windless on Sunday, but that didn`t stop the fun. Martin Penty and Ed Grayson were the 200 fleet winners in a quality fleet. The top performance of the year also came from Martin when he teamed up with James for the Inlands at Rutland and finished 4th overall out of 80 boats. I think this is the best Beaver result at one of the major 200 events. 2008 has been another fantastic year for the 200 fleet with new members and greater competition. But this is not time to be complacent. While the fleet has maintained its overall numbers I think we can find a few more people to take up the challenge.
|
