he weekend of 4-5 April saw fourteen RS600s arrive at Oxford Sailing Club for their Racing Circuit event, held jointly with the Contender class. The fleet was welcomed with bacon sandwiches, sunshine, and a good force four wind.

The race officer, David Rollinson, and his team set a great course in a shifting wind and got the first start away promptly. The first race was contested by Ian Marshall, Andy Heissig, and James Sainsbury with Ian posting the first win. The second race saw Dave Annan take the win with Marshall second and James Sainsbury third.

The fleet then went in for well deserved tea and cake. Race three was won by James with Ian in second place. In race four Mike Trueman was first to the windward mark and held off a strong off-wind challenge from Dave Annan to lead the fleet to the finish line. Ian Marshall worked his way into second place.
Ian was overnight leader with one first and three second places. James Sainsbury was lying in second place. On Sunday morning the sailors were greeted by clear skies, a slight frost, sunshine, and no wind! The race officer postponed the start which enabled those interested to watch the start of the Malaysian Grand Prix. The sea breeze kicked in at around 11am so with 90 degree wind shifts to contend with, the race officer finally got the first race underway. Race five was won convincingly by James Sainsbury, with Guy Lonsdale coming second, and Ian Marshall third. This meant that going into the sixth and final race Sainsbury and Marshall were contesting the lead on level points. Unfortunately, Sainsbury started at the pin end as most of the fleet took a good shift at the committee boat end of the line. The result for the last race was Marshall first, Trueman second, and Lonsdale third (all Oxford SC members), with Sainsbury coming in seventh. The overall results were Marshall first, Sainsbury second, and Trueman third. The weekend was enjoyed by all competitors with a good wind range and good sailing throughout the fleet.

Michael Trueman