Twelve of the twenty or so teams who arrived for Bexhill SC’s RS200 Open Meeting on 24 June decided to brave the surf and Force 5 south-westerly and enjoy a day of exhilarating racing

Steve Dunn/Rachel Jones relished the conditions winning the first three races and so headed back to the clubhouse bar for the fourth having won the meeting in style.

Second place was hotly contested with two points separating the next three teams. Andy and Geraldine Peters sailed very consistently – not finishing below third all day. Dicken Maclean and Nicola Groves sailed excellently in race two giving them a second place to count. Local team Mike Chapman/Lynne Ratcliffe, recovering from a broken halyard in race 1 and an exciting trip ashore to make a repair, passed the Peters in race three to also be in contention.

As the wind backed and dropped slightly in race four, the Peters team led around the leeward mark closely followed by Chapman/Ratcliffe and Maclean/Groves. Maclean/Groves peeled off a hundred yards up the beat and headed back to the finishing line having spotted a shorten course flag to win the fourth race and give them third overall. The Peters team finished second after an extra lap to give them second overall.

Thanks to Race Officer Clare Day, her race team and the many club members who contributed to an excellent South East Area Series event – and to Terry Weston of Ashdown Hurrey who sponsored the event and gave away the prizes. The SEAS circuit now moves on to Weirwood SC on Sunday 1st July.

Overall Results
1st RS200 789, Steve Dunn and Rachel Jones RYA 3pts
2nd RS200 962, Andrew and Geraldine Peters 7pts
3rd RS200 940, Dicken Maclean and Nicola Groves 8pts
4th RS200 941, Mike Chapman and Lynne Ratcliffe Bexhill SC 9pts
5th RS200 999, Dave and Nicky Derby Bough Beech SC 12pts