RYA National Ranking Series Event 3 at Hayling Island Sailing Club

Giles Scott wins the Finn class in the 2014 RYA Olympic Classes National Ranking Series © Paul Wyeth / RYA

Another highly successful race and training combined event, where BFA clubs sailors got to race on short, sharp courses against the full-time squad sailors and the current World Champion – not bad for a learning experience! With a fleet of 17 boats, the Finn was the highest number of competitors across all of the Olympic Classes at the RYA Ranker event. With the short course format racing was tight and compact, giving the club sailors a close-up master class in how the top guys sail.

It was great to see a healthy new intake of Junior sailors to the fleet, who are already pushing the Development Squad hard. 19-year-old Hector Simpson sailed his first Finn regatta at the early October Autumn ranker and only 4 weeks later finished 5th at Hayling. Hector was joined by another impressive Finn debutant, Cameron Tweedle in moving up from the Laser class. Despite his light weight and age (15) Cameron showed massive maturity and skill to steadily improve through the four races on Saturday to finish a very creditable 9th in his first event. Hector and Cameron were joined by Jourdan Swindon and Jack Arnell in the Junior division and all look set to push hard for the Junior Worlds in 2015.

Hayling Bay was at it's most challenging over the weekend, with choppy and confused seas on Saturday and a building 18-20 Knot breeze. Sunday however was un-sailable with winds gusting 35 knots and the famous Hayling Bar putting up some impressive surf.

Giles Scott showed the way, winning all four races on Saturday, but the returning Andrew Mills showed he hadn't lost any of his Finn Racing skills since retiring from full time sailing for a City job, finishing second. He had however lost some toughness from his hands, as his badly blistered fingers proved! Allen Burrell led the Masters contingent home – his one moment of glory rounding the windward mark ahead of the world champion in the final race and hanging on for a highly creditable 2nd.

With Sunday's racing blown off, RYA Finn Podium coach Matt Howard kindly gave the BFA club sailors a video coaching workshop, answering question on technique and trim, using footage of the squad guys in training. By answering sailors specific technique questions and explaining the ideals of reducing drag and the secrets of downwind technique, aspiring Junior and club sailors alike were able to access the same level of information and expertise that has made British Finn sailing the best in the world in recent years.

Overall Results: