RS700 Noble Marine Nationals runners and riders

The RS700 and RS800 Noble Marine National Championships are at Castle Cove SC in 2021 © Hannah Shone

Name Club Form Odds Theo Galyer Hayling Island SC National Champion for 2019 and 2020 and Class Chairman. No?one takes RS700 sailing more seriously than Theo
but can he make it three in a row? 5:3 Ian Swann Hayling Island SC Often found near the front of the fleet
occasionally found standing on his centreboard shouting profanities. Cover your ears kids. 8:1 Roland Smith Hayling Island SC With the fleet’s newest boat
he will be looking to win the Concours prize. With newfound pace Roland will be aiming for Gold fleet results. 18:1 Matt Carter Lancing SC Ruthlessly trained to be calm under pressure
the unflappable Matt Carter is consistently quick. A serious contender for a Blue Riband. 3:1 Ben Cooper Lymington Coming out of an extended hibernation
Ben showed his potential at last year’s Inlands. 6:1 Richard Wadsworth RNSA / Stokes Bay SC Wadsworth brings his naval principles to the racecourse ? he never gives way when he’s locked on target. Revels in punishing conditions, so if it’s a windy one, he’ll be at the front. 3:1 Matt Conner Queen Mary SC Having invested in a historically fast boat and sinking plenty of time on the water in the last year. This Queen Mary relic has shown fast straight line speed in 2021. Expect to see him aiming for the podium this year. 3:1 Andy Wright Queen Mary SC Back for his second nationals and showing great pace. Likely to be challenging for the Silver fleet win. 16:1 Simon Hawes Queen Mary SC If you can polish your way to victory
Simon will be at the front. Either way a strong Silver fleet challenger. 18:1 Rob Higgins Chew Valley Lake SC Suitably quick in his Rosso red boat
Rob has returned to the fleet as one to watch. Will be looking to improve on last year’s third place with strength right across the wind range. Could be his year. 2:1 James Clark Chew Valley Lake SC After a summer of intense two?boat training with Rob Higgins
will he be fast enough to catch him? 12:1 Nathan Steffenoni Weston SC Put in a very credible performance at Lymington to prove his mettle. A sailmaker by trade
so expect his tell-tales to be flowing at all times. 16:1 John Lawson a.c. Treffort Voile Already winning the prize for most miles travelled
he won’t want to be going home empty handed. 20:1 Malcolm Streeton Hayling Island SC Mast failure brought an end to his event at Torbay. If he can keep it pointing upwards
he will be mixing up in the middle. 18:1 Curtis Drew Gt Yarmouth and Gorleston SC Progressing well and will be looking to benchmark in the fleet at his first nationals 18:1 Stephen Carr Brightlingsea SC Has been unlucky with gear failure in previous events. Always one to watch out for on the racecourse. 20:1 Simon Hamilton Queen Mary SC Ex 18ft skiffer who’s right at home on his wide racks. Great on the bow, great on the main, great on the stick. Just needs to be able to do them all at the same time. Expecting moments of glory. 16:1 Richie Thurlby Hill Head SC New to the fleet so current form unknown. With a background in 29er and RS800s there’s plenty of experience to call on
but will a lack of crew hold him back? 20:1 Peter O’nions Draycote Water SC Calm and steady
Peter will be switching off the autopilot this year and be hunting for a silver fleet win. 16:1 Guy Boullenger Chew Valley Lake SC Chew Valley’s secret weapon. Sailing under the Tricolore and, as yet, unseeded. 20:1 Ashley Strong Oxford SC After extreme conditions at his home club and light winds at Torbay
yet to show his hand. 20:1 Stephen Hermanson Queen Mary SC A lightwind maestro who’s hard to catch sub 10 knots. Loves the nip and tuck. 10:1 Paul Atkinson Lee on Solent SC Unknown form for this new entrant. Could he go straight to the front? 20:1 Jack Napolitano Snettisham Beach SC Having been coached by the European Champ
Jack brings youth and talent. 15:1 Phillip Highfield Gt Yarmouth and Gorleston SC Wide wing hero ? give him room at the roundings
lots of room. Can blast it with the best of them 8:1 Pete Purkiss Brightlingsea SC Known as Pistol Pete for his ability to get off the line in pole position, more often than not he can hold it around the course too. When it’s light, he’s out of sight. 3:1 Simon Clark Lyme Regis SC Has mixed it up in the middle in previous nationals. Has time away been spent training to win? 18:1 William Homewood Lymington Town SC New to the fleet after a spell in I14s. Showed great speed at Lymington and carrying significant youthful advantage. 14:1