Page 29 - Yachter Winter 2019

Classes 2 and 4 were first away at 0950hrs. Classes 1 and 3 followed at 1000hrs. Shortly after the start the wind picked
up to 7-9 knots and had veered enough
for the higher pointing boats to make St Alban’s Head. One boat headed off on a more Southerly course but failed to gain an advantage.Arrival at StAlban’s Head was welcomed by 3 knots of tide heading West so the fleet closed up there and then hugged the shore line to Durlston Head where Jago was in the lead at the first timing point.
Others, in quick succession, were not far behind. By this time the wind had veered round to the South and dropped and it was
time to unpack spinnakers.
Jago was again first to arrive at our second
timing checkpoint at North Head buoy. Once here the flood tide was getting
going, making for rapid progress to Hurst Castle where entry to the Western Solent meant the wind, which by this time was hovering at around 5 knots,was dead astern. With 3-4 knots of flooding tide, there was no longer any doubt about reaching the finish line off Beaulieu but plenty of gybing needed to be done on the way!
Jago was still in the lead crossing the finish line at 1810 and won the race in class 1. High Jinks was next to the line and won
class 2.Two hours later Hadaway came in to win class 3.
In all, 7 of the 14 who started leg 2 made it to the finish line and by 2046 all had arrived – a long day’s sail, but at least the sun was shining!
Thanks to the many people at the club who worked to make this weekend a success.
Our next Double Handed race was the popular Island Double on 24th August. Dave Martin, Race Officer
RACING REPORT 29