Win for home sailors Nigel and Di Pepperdine at The Sailing Chandlery RS200 Northern Tour 2026 - Staunton Harold Sailing Club leg
Published 18:00 on 25 May 2026
The sun was out in full force for the third event in the RS200 Class Association Northern Tour sponsored by the Sailing Chandlery. Thankfully, the forecast for almost non-existent wind changed late on Friday evening to around 5 knots gusting 12, and sailors were able to arrive with optimism.
As sailors from Budworth Sailing Club BSC, Chase Sailing Club and Yorkshire Dales SC joined the Staunton home sailors for Race 1, it was all about trying to maintain momentum and dodge the holes in the light breeze.
Last-minute stand-in helm Rachael Gray, sailing with Amy Nugent, took an early lead and stayed well in front throughout the race. The windward/leeward course gave sailors lots of opportunities for tactical decisions. Home sailors Nigel & Di, Budworths Jon & Heather Ward and Yorkshire Dales Martin & Barbara Smith finished second, third and fourth respectively. The wind was fickle, and plenty of sailors unexpectedly stalled as it switched off or shifted abruptly.
Back-to-back Race 2 saw a change in leaders as Rach and Amy experienced technical failures which left them stranded. This time it was Stauntons Lol Hayward & Ann Nugent who found the pressure throughout the race to take the bullet. Nigel & Di came second again, while Chase SCs Huw Hopkins & Holly Alfs enjoyed a third place, and Martin & Barbara finished fourth once more.
After lunch, the course changed to reflect the wind shift from southerly to south-south-westerly. This time it was Budworth sailors Jon & Heather who read the wind perfectly to take the win. Once again, Nigel & Di were the bridesmaids, consistently reading the conditions well.
The fourth and final race of the day saw home sailors Nigel & Di , with three second places already in hand, finally take a race win. Pete Gray (stand-in helm number two for Amy) came second, while Jon & Heather and Martin & Barbara took third and fourth respectively once again.
Overall winners of the third event in the series were Nigel & Di on nett 5 points, with Jon & Heather second on nett 7 and Martin & Barbara third on nett 12.
Special mentions go to Amy, with thanks to Rach and Pete Gray who stepped in to ensure she could race today, and also to Terry Forbes & Allan Donaldson, racing together in an RS200 for the first time.
Huge well done to all of the 10 boats that joined us and enjoyed an unpredictable and tactically exhausting day. Thank you to our race team headed up by Grahame Newton, and our galley team Lesley and Janice who kept us all well fed and hydrated. For the full results please click here.
Photocourtesy of Lucy Dyer
Last updated 18:00 on 25 May 2026
