THE waters around Royal Thames buoy in the Solent got busy at 1900 on Friday evening last week as 47 boats turned out for the start of the ‘Weymouth Double Leg 1’, part of the Royal Southampton Yacht Clubs McGuigan Wines Double Handed Series.
The boats jostled for start positions in the 5 knot SSW which didn’t seem to bode well for the 50 mile sail into the night to Weymouth, but at least it was dry. Everyone got away well against the flood tide, trying to stay in the shallows until the last moment before making for the mid channel rounding mark that the race officers had added to ensure that everyone left plenty of room around the cable laying barges. As the smaller boats started to feel the full effect of the flood tide the faster yachts that started later began to move through the fleet.
In parallel with our fleet the JOG fleet that started at about the same time made for the west along the Island shore. As the tide started to turn, everyone drifted in the windless hole just south of Lymington. Those that stayed well inshore managed to keep a breath of wind but in the dark not everyone picked up on it. The wind started to pick up to a moderate breeze by the Hurst narrows, as it moved round to the SW making for a quick reach down the needles channel. The horizon was spectacular as the clear cold black sky merged with the sea, the sky glistening with a multitude of stars and the sea dancing with the reflections of stern lights as the fleets made west. The yachts making for the inshore route around St Albans Head hoisted their kites as they crossed Poole Bay, while those offshore enjoyed a broad reach before easing off at St Albans Head and hoisting their spinnakers for the run in to Weymouth.
As most of the course was down tide with the wind the smaller boats in the fleet did well with the majority of the fleet finishing within an hour of the first boat.
Many had a busy time trying to douse their kites before running up the beach after the down wind finish in the dark.
Class 1 was dominated by ‘Juneau’ Laurence & Oscar Mead’s J105 who took line honours and the class win ahead of ‘No Doubt’, Chris & Hannah Neve’s First 34.7. Mike Moxely and Huw Phillips came home third on ‘Malice’.
Class 2 had Steve Sault surfing across the finish in his J80 ‘Hoolinkazan’ to take line honours but the class win was taken by ‘Tringa’ the Contessa 32 sailed by Chris & Sue Flewitt. Rarely off the rostrum Pat Stables & Nigel Hunter, brought ‘Google-Eye’ home in second place with ‘Moondog’ third.
In Class 3 Katie Miller was getting to grips on her Beneteau Figaro II ‘Hot Socks’ and stormed off into the lead from the start. The light relatively flat conditions suited her well and she took line honours but ‘Tosara Blue’ the Maxi 1100 sailed by Martyn Hindley/Jonathon Enderby finished first on handicap with ‘Blush’ second and ‘Asante’ having to settle for third after a penalty for use of her engine.
‘Pavo’ the Wauquiez Pretorien with David Greenway and his new double partner Gange, took line honours in class 4 but had to settle for second on handicap as Jon Woolgar, rarely far from the podium came home first on ‘Green Kestrel’ with third place going to the ever popular George Evans and Kay Abbott on ‘Seven Stars’ the Legend 37.5
The multihull start proved a bit lonely for Simon Forbes & Cathy Foster on ‘Scooby III’ as the other entrant was already in Weymouth. Simon was definitely first across the line at the start and first multihull across the finish line.
For further information on RSYC racing contact Cathy Crawley, Sailing Secretary, RSYC, Tel: 023 80 223352 or email racing@rsyc.org.uk
