The Fat Face RS700 Euro Cup event is about to start in La Rochelle, 25-29 July. A strong 32-boat fleet from across Europe, a good weather forecast and a 10-race series, it looks like it will turn out to be a real exciting championship.

The day before the event the class association arranged some training for all RS700 competitors. This was run by asymmetric guru Pete Greenhalge. The aim is to help the newcomers to the fleet and people at all standards with support and help and encouragement to improve. A practice race was then held and Pete did a video debrief from the day’s action. In the evening there was a class dinner at the sailing club followed by a tour of La Rochelle’s night life!

Practice race

The practice race got under way, the clouds cleared to reveal sunshine with 20 knots of breeze with a rolling sea. The race got under way promptly at 1630. The majority of the fleet started at the committee boat end and got away cleanly. Pete Greenhalge one of the race favourites was well in the second row and tacked off right, within the first one hundred meters. Jerry Wales also followed and went hard right Steve Butcher went hard left.

With the roaring tide there was obviously going to be a favoured side. The wind ward mark was over a mile away, with the majority of the fleet going left, Greenhalge crossed them with a comfortable lead followed by Wales. Greenhalge never looked back and extended his lead to win; showing that his hard training over the summer is beginning to pay off. But some say it’s bad luck to win the practice race before a major event, we shall see. With his exceptional boat handling Wales came second. Butcher sailed a solid race and was third followed by a tussle between Dave Cummings and John Heissig with Cummings crossing the line first.

Overall Results

1st Pete Greenhalge GBR

2nd Jerry Wales GBR

3rd Steve Butcher GBR

4th Dave Cummings GBR