2000 class Nationals – a primary timer’s view

2000 class Nationals – a primary timer’s view

by Oliver and Elliott Thompson 21 Sep 02:34 PDT
5-9 August 2024

Attending any giant occasion is usually a daunting prospect, and your first Nationals and huge fleet racing occasion is certain to evoke a whirlwind of feelings – pleasure, nerves, and strain, to call just a few.

We have participated in lots of bigger occasions, together with the Lord Birkett and the Nice North
Uneven Problem, however the 2024 2000 Nationwide Championship was set to be our largest
fleet racing occasion but — and it actually delivered!

Having purchased our first 2000 in 2019, we have been a part of the category for just a few years now,
competing on the circuit since 2022 when the primary Latitude Sequence was launched. This was a
milestone second for the category, because it marked the primary time occasions had been being held additional north.
We even hosted the inaugural occasion of the Latitude Sequence in 2022 at our residence membership, West
Driving Crusing Membership.

We arrived in Torbay on Friday, obtained the boat rigged, and made certain every little thing was in working
order. On Saturday, we hit the water forward of the official racing begin on Sunday, permitting us
time to observe with just a few others and get a really feel for the bay. Trying again, this was a sensible
choice, because it helped ease the nerves when Sunday morning lastly arrived.

When Sunday did come round, we spent the morning guaranteeing the boat was completely
ready, permitting us to focus solely on the racing and circumstances. Having by no means raced in such a
giant fleet earlier than, we had been wanting to see how we stacked up in opposition to the opposite sailors. We had been
happy with our first day’s outcomes, ending with a 14th and a ninth.

The following two days of racing, Monday and Tuesday proved to be difficult and a steep
studying curve. We recorded finishes of 18th, sixteenth, twentieth, and eleventh — outcomes that taught us quite a bit
about racing in such a aggressive fleet of 45 boats.

Wednesday was a much-needed lay day, giving us an opportunity to relaxation and regroup.

Thursday introduced the windiest circumstances of the week, which deterred many boats from heading
out, leaving their crews heat and dry within the yacht membership. We, nevertheless, launched early to evaluate
the circumstances and modify our rig setup accordingly. As a lighter crew, we anticipated struggling
on the heavy wind days. Nonetheless, with just a few tweaks to the rig and controls, we managed to
keep aggressive with the heavier crews. Our technique was to hold on upwind and maintain our
place, then use the downwind legs to begin gaining locations. We ended the day with a fifteenth and
a sixth, transferring us as much as 14th general with at some point of racing left.

By Friday morning, the wind had calmed, prompting one more adjustment to our rig setup to
go well with the brand new circumstances. Two robust remaining races resulted in a sixteenth and our greatest results of the
Nationals — a fifth place end. This introduced us to twelfth general, securing 1st within the Silver Division
and, as a result of it was our first Nationals, 1st within the Newcomer Division.

So, what did we study?

Take every race because it comes. If issues aren’t going properly, deal with the subsequent small win — like
overtaking the boat forward. Within the first race on Thursday, we had a horrible begin and a poor first
beat, rounding the windward mark in round thirtieth place. However as an alternative of making an attempt to make an enormous,
dangerous transfer, we targeting gaining one boat at a time. By doing this, we managed to climb
again as much as sixteenth. It is tempting in these conditions to intention for an enormous, game-changing play, however usually
the most effective strategy is to stay with the fleet and search for small, constant features — except there’s
an apparent alternative elsewhere. As a light-weight crew, we had been lucky to have a bonus
downwind, the place we may sail quicker and deeper than most, which positively labored in our
favour.

One other lesson we discovered was the worth of getting out on the course early. This gave us a really feel
for the place to count on shifts and helped us be extra ready when the racing started.
Lastly, it is essential to remain clear and clear. Keep away from getting caught in tacking battles with different
boats. Assume strategically and deal with stepping into clear air the place you’ll be able to execute your individual
race plan with out interference.

The 2000 is a aggressive one-design class, with boats previous and new competing on a stage
enjoying area. The category and its sailors are an exceptionally useful and pleasant bunch. Everybody
is open about sharing their setups, ideas, and methods, at all times supporting one another in changing into
quicker and extra aggressive. So, in the event you’re considering of getting a 2000 or in search of a category to
leap into, the 2000 must be on the prime of your checklist.

This expertise was an unforgettable journey for us, full of challenges, studying, and
camaraderie, and we’re wanting ahead to the remainder of the 2024 session and the subsequent 2000
Nationwide Championship in 2025.

To seek out out extra about how one can participate in Opens and Travelling Sequence occasions at West Driving Crusing Membership, across the UK and overseas go to www.wrsc.org.uk. Begin your journey right this moment.