The current world champion missed out on this prestigious title last year, but in this year's varied conditions, including a waterspout, he completed his title collection.
The Musto Performance Skiff is the pinnacle of high performance sailing. The fleet saw the biggest ever turnout and it was against this formidable opposition that Richard excelled to take the title against arch rival Ian Trotter.
Other Rutland Sailing Club members who excelled were Matt Hollis who managed a win in one of the races and Tom Wright who finished second youth – a tremendous achievement given the conditions.
Iver Ahlmann put together a strong series to finish a credible twelfth in a very hot fleet and stalwart Tim Chapman came in 3rd Grand Master.
* HOME team Tearaways, led by club manager Bruce Bonar and assisted by sailing school manager Ben Lulham took an impressive second place in the Formula One Nationals.
The first win went to Parkstone sailors with the first club boat managing a third. In the second race the club boats faired better with a win for the Bonars and a second for Chris Wright. The three races on Saturday were all won by the Lake District boat 'War Dept' helmed by Paul Harkness. With the racing on Sunday blown off due to gusts approaching 50 mph these three wins put the War Dept out in front and crowned them National Champions.