Despite a less than inviting forecast, those making the journey to the south coast for the second round of the Face Face RS300 circuit last weekend were rewarded with almost perfect conditions, ranging from Force 4 on the Saturday, dropping to Force 2 on the Sunday with glorious sunshine and the usual Solent chop. In a shifty Force 4 northerly over a tight trapezoid course, the first race was won by John Carron from Milton Keynes, followed closely by James Winfield and Matt Sargent.

The second race was run in similar conditions with Steve Bolland from Bristol Corinthian taking the win from Stokes Bay local Steve Cook with Carron a close third.

Race three was the tightest of the day with Sargent, Winfield, Cook, Carron and Bolland all in close proximity for the first two laps. Carron and Bolland pulled clear in the latter stages of the race with Carron winning a closely fought race. Sargent edged out Cliff Shaw to finish in third.

Sunday saw slightly less wind – Force 3 dropping to 2 as the day progressed, but from a more steady easterly direction. Steve Cockerill had joined the fleet for the day and did his normal horizon job in race 4, followed home by Carron and Sargent. Cockerill took the lead on the first lap of race five from Bolland. Cockerill was pressed all the way but eventually won from Bolland and Carron, with Winfield always in close contention.

The sixth race was a similar story with Cockerill eventually winning from Bolland and Carron. Sargent showed well in the early stages, leading at the first mark but fell back as the wind dropped on the last beat.

So John Carron won his second Fat Face event on the trot, showing speed and consistency throughout the weekend.

Overall Results

1st 420 John Carron Milton Keynes SC 10 pts

2nd 411 Steve Bolland Bristol Corinthian YC 11 pts

3rd 443 Matt Sargent Royal Artillery YC 19 pts

4th 479 Steve Cook Stokes Bay SC 20 pts

5th 471 James Winfield Locks 22 pts

6th 414 Steve Cockerill Stokes Bay SC 23 pts

7th 478 Cliff Shaw Stokes Bay SC 29 pts

8th 456 Graham Cooper Chew Valley Lake SC 39 pts

9th 333 James Phare Babbacombe 46 pts