HONFLEUR is a new destination in the Royal Southampton racing programme and 26 yachts assembled near Hill Head on the evening of Friday, August 29 for the start of the McGuigan Wines Honfleur Double.
Conditions were light as forecast, with a beat out of the Solent in 5 to 7 knots with tide under.
Once past Bembridge, the wind varied from around 12 knots and a flat sea at first to the high teens accompanied by a fresher wind over tide sea state when the tide turned.
The breeze held for the leaders and Chris Rushtom on Ding Dong took line hours at just after 11 am, but later boats became trapped in a black hole.
Katie Miller on Hot Socks bagged her first win of the series and said ‘it was a challenging race, but ace!’.The wind eventually filled in from behind and they all finished close together.
A few boats opted to return to the Solent straight away, but for others the race began anew, this time against the ebb in the Chenal de Rouen to the lock at Honfleur before low water, in order to catch the last bridge opening for the Vieux Bassin. Andrew Campbell on Faze 3 just made it by cutting a groove in the mud.
Our host club, the Cercle Nautique de Honfleur, impressed everyone with their friendliness and helpfulness, which was very much appreciated. The CNH is a very active club and had just won the local double handed regatta.
The President, Claude Lecharpentier, presented the prizes and outlined plans for improving the facilities at Honfleur next year.
Next in the McGuigan Wines Double Handed Series is the Autumn Double on October 11.
RESULTS
Class 1
1 Juneau, J105, Oscar & Laurence Mead
2 Ding Dong, Stewart 37, Chris Rustom & Mike Saqui
3 Oojah, J-110, Peter & Duncan Tanner
Class 2
1 Razoo, Jeanneau 32, Ray Hallett & Brent Fargher
2 Pyxis, X-332, Kirsteen Donaldson & Flic Gabbay
Class 3
1 Hot Socks, Beneteau Figaro II, Katie Miller
2 Faze 3, Bavaria 44, Andrew Campbell
3 Meteor, Mini Transat, Roger Walker & Phil Kent
Class 4
1 Free Spirit, Bavaria 32, Nic Freeston & Michael Hibberd
2 Little Spirit, Beneteau First 375, Brian Cooper & Steve Horne
3= Max Pavo, Maxi 1050 Wauquiez Pretorien, Bob & Jan Trimble David Greenway
Multi
1 Scooby III, Dragonfly 800, Simon Forbes & Cathy Foster
2 Zoum!, Dragonfly 920, David Hyland & Niel Owen
