First turnout of year for RS 400

A cold grey day greeted 23 visiting boats from all over the country for the first open meeting of the season for RS 400 dinghies at Chichester Yacht Club.

The spirited northerly breeze ensured some spectacular reaches providing excellent spectator sport as the powerful gusts swept through the fleet.

In the first race Ben and Roz McGrane from Netley SC opened up a commanding lead with Jack Holden and Jono Price from Arun YC holding second securely throughout.

Sam Knight and Chris Bownes of Bartley SC, near Birmingham, climbed through the fleet to finish third, while there were some spectacular capsizes among the rest of the fleet.

In race two, the McGranes swiftly established a lead while there was considerable place changing behind them.

Steve and Sarah Cockerill worked their way up from fifth to second with Jon Heissig and Nicky Griffin, from Llangorse SC in the Brecon Beacons, sailing well to make up from seventh to third.

In a series with no discarded results, the McGranes needed to sail the final race and had to work a little harder having followed Jack and Jono until part way through the second lap.

After that Jon and Nicky sailed fast to recover from fifth to finish second ahead of Jack and Jono.

The final results show Ben and Roz McGrane in first with the perfect score of three points, followed by Jack Holden and Jono Price in second with 10 just ahead of Jon Heissig and Nicky Griffin, third with 11 and Sam Knight and Chris Bownes with 12.

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