Page 34 - Yachter Spring/Summer 2021

34 RACING REPORTS
on meeting other households outdoors meant that we have had to run races with only a skeleton team on The Hound and RIB. For the Thursday evening races we had only two people from one household on each boat, which put a huge burden on the few households that could offer two experienced race officers. Particular thanks are due to Stephen and Angela Parry, Neil and Jan Cox, Bob and Jan Trimble and Peter and Anthony Davill, without whom none of this would have been possible.
For 2021, we recognise that the pandemic is still going to have an ongoing impact on racing. Our strategy has been to put in place a full schedule of races but to continuously monitor the situation and be prepared to be nimble in adapting to new regulations and guidance coming from both the government and the RYA. We have plenty of experience
of COVID-restricted formats from 2020. The Frostbite Series is always one of our
more popular events, providing as it does an opportunity to tune up both boat and crew for the year ahead. This twelve-race series was due to start on 10th January 2021, but as I write this article, the start has now been delayed due to a third National Lockdown being instigated in England until at least mid-February!
We are planning ten races in our Double Handed Series, starting in April, with at least one race per month until October. Some
of these are to more distant destinations - Weymouth first and then Cherbourg, with
a Summer Cruise planned to meet up with us in Cherbourg. From May to July, we will run Twilight and Summer Series races in Southampton Water on Thursday evenings and October will see the return of our
Winter Series on Sundays.
All except our charity races are free
to members, so why not plan to join us? Whether your boat is 25 feet or 45 feet long and whether you are an experienced racer or coming to it for the first time, there is something in our programme for you throughout the year. The Racing
page on our website always has up-to-date information, but if you would like to know more Lisa Topley, our Sailing Secretary, is on hand to help.
Dave Martin Captain of Racing
Photos: Dave Martin and Natalie Hamilton