By Andrew Campbell
There are many possible reasons for poor holding, but a traffic cone impaled on the anchor came as a surprise to the committee boat in the McGuigan Wines Nab Double.
The Royal Southampton likes the odd beat and run in its races, but anticipating difficulty in shifting the windward mark, namely the Nab Tower, called up for a southeasterly wind instead.
The weather gods responded with 17 knots from just east of south, occasionally up into the 20s, and kindly held back the forecast rain. There vote of approval was unanimous as none of the 75 starters retired.
Everybody wanted to start at the starboard end of the line, then it was a matter of staying in deep water until the tide turned foul in time for a sightseeing tour of Ryde Sands. A game of chicken ensued, with the front boats shaving the corner as close as they dared, only for bigger boats behind to go in even further. Everyone laid the Nab Tower in one, but even so it was a long slog against the tide.
Once round the Nab, the kites went up and they were away. The Js in particular absolutely flew off on a shy reach, and it was game-on to try and catch the boat in front. A spectacular line of spinnakers appeared at the forts, and a flurry of finishers were soon at Hill Head, led by the J-133 JB3 and the multihull My-Cat.
In the evening, contented crews filled the lively Royal Southampton clubhouse for the results and accompanying prizes of McGuigan wine.
Next in the McGuigan Wines Double Handed Series is the Honfleur Double on August 29.
