Race Report – Warsash Spring Series supported by Helly Hansen, Week 4, 3 April.
It’s a bright and chilly April morning, with ice on the committee boat’s deck, the Race officers were discussing if the light winds be more north or north-west, would some thermal during the morning shift it more left or right, then again would it increase or die off. The start position near Contessa32Class was not in doubt to set up and monitor, however interfacing with other race events and what seemed to be an unusual number of fishing boats anchored near rounding marks required checking out.
Aiming for a 2 hr 15 min race we played safe with a slightly shorter course and options for shortening. The windward mark was set for Royal Southern and although we had 20 degree wind shifts during the start sequence it kept coming back to prediction so it was all go, with all classes having their most competitive starts yet with only metres to spare on the guns.
Out on the race track competitors found it challenging predicting the wind shifts and lulls on the first beat, then more stable breeze kicked in for the down wind legs to produce some exciting spring sailing. A substantial wind veer to NE for a time on the last leg helping the leading yachts that went right, then it backed again for the rest, that’s yacht racing.
Johhny Cooper’s Cape 31 Fanatic took a commanding lead in Class 1 over Galahad of Cowes, Mike and Suzie Yates’ J109 Jago took Class 2 and are now equal with Mojo Rising in the standings, whilst James Crew’s Quokka won Class 3 again and is now the boat to catch for the series overall.
Next week is the start of the Spring Championships with the White fleet (J70 and SB20’s) joining the IRC Classes. They are now up to 70 entries and looking forward to some competitive sailing.
https://www.warsashsc.org.uk/spring-series/
