RS300 Gul Grand Prix - Aldenham SC 25th September 2010

Just how much fun can you have for a tenner these days? Well, Aldenham SC provided the RS300 fleet with 3 races, lunch, tea and coffee on tap and after racing cakes all for the princely sum of £10. Aldenham SC is a club rich with history (Ian Proctor was a founding member) and the 300 fleet was pleased to associated, if only in a small way, with that tradition.

The locals said that with the wind from the north the wind would be at it steadiest. They may have been right but to all the travellers it was still shiftier than a second-hand car salesman. All 3 races were run in the force 1-4 breeze with wind from all points of the compass but predominantly from a northerly general direction.

Richard LeMare in 426 cowboyed the start and led at the first mark from Neil Skellam (374), newly joined from the Laser fleet, and Dave Barker (365). After the first lap LeMare was half the length of the lake ahead and looked to have already built an unassailable lead. However, Steve Bolland (411), 7th at the first mark after a shoddy first beat had moved into 2nd by the end of lap 2 and then into the lead on lap 4 which he then held to the finish. James Carnague (509) also moved through the fleet well to challenge LeMare at one point. After 50 minutes of racing the order was Bolland, LeMare, Carnague, Skellam amd Marksz.

Race 2 was run back-to-back and LeMare again judged the shifts best on the first beat to lead the fleet away followed by Carnague and Bolland. At the end of the first run LeMare, realising that he had peaked too early in race 1, decided to throw himself in to give everyone else a chance. He was back upright before the next boat was on him though. On the second lap proceeding were livened up again when an impeccably timed gust arrived just as the 6 leading boats were approaching the end of the run in line abreast. Bolland had the inside berth, gybed cleanly and was away as the following boats rafted up before gybing in unison. After things settled down again Bolland took the win from LeMare, Carnague, Marksz and Peter Ellis.

The final race was run after coming in for lunch and a rather fine lasagne. This time LeMare made no mistake. He lead the fleet away and was only briefly headed halfway through the race before regaining the lead to win. Bolland won a close race with Skellam and Marksz to take second.

Final stops for the RS300 fleet this year are at Sheffield Viking on 2 October and the Inlands at Draycote Water on 16/17 October.

Overall Results: