There were no place changes on the last leg, and the Championship ended as yet another big squall arrived, this one big enough to dismast a passing RS600. Robin was quick in a breeze, and might have done better given three days of racing, although it has to be said that the light conditions of day 1 would not have been especially to his liking. Dave and Claire never really seemed to be on top form this year, but got quicker as the regatta progressed, finally putting in a win for the last race. On shore pictures and Photos of the racing. 125kg 130kg 155kg 148kg 124kg 130kg A typically Cherub variety of gear, with much homebuilt.
Rigs are a major theme of development at the moment.
Carbon rigs, which offer a lot of benefits for a skiff type boat, are pretty much universal at the top end of the fleet now. Twin spreader rigs are also common with spinnaker hoists tending to be higher than was fashionable a couple of years ago, mainly due to the increased sail area permitted from 1997. The upper shrouds are always controlling sideways bend and of course supporting the spinnaker. Self tacking jibs are becoming increasingly common, and offer particular advantages in the very tactical short downwind legs the fleet uses because gybes are so much easier and quicker. The large range of crew weights illustrates the development class advantage of being able to set up the boat to suit the crew.