Sunday Winter Series at Lymington Town Sailing Club - Day 7

Tony Stickland was to be the Race Officer for this Sunday, ably assisted by Stephen Reneaux as Assistant Race Officer. The Tide would be flooding but the wind was blowing old boots, gusting over 40kts until approx 0850. The advancing rain signalled the front passing overhead and at 0840, just as forecast, the wind veered as the pressure started to rise.

The decision was made at 0930 to start at the normal time of 1030 but this week from the river line. The Race Officer took advantage of the dredging in the vicinity of Fortuna dock to set a windward start, up river to ‘M’ (Moveable) which was laid off Fortuna’s normal position. The course would then take the Medium fleet out to Black & Orange & Walbank before returning home. The Fast fleet in addition, would also have to go to East Mark, Walbank & East Mark again before they could return. Two laps were originally set but the race was later shortened.

There were nine starters in the Fast fleet and three in the Medium fleet. The start was held up though for approx 5 minutes, waiting for the ferry to set sail. Two of the fast fleet dinghies were over the line at the start but quickly returned. Peter Barton in his International Moth led the way down the river, with two of the boats loosing it by the wave barrier, there were also several other capsizes, mostly with quick recoveries. There were support safety RIBs standing by though.

In the Fast fleet although Peter Barton in his Moth took line honours with Luke & Emma McEwen in their RS 800 second & Richard Lilley in his RS 600 third. Peter Would be relegated to fourth place behind Luke & Emma 1st followed by David Gautier in his Contender 2nd & Richard Lilley third when the handicaps were applied.

In the Medium Fleet Stewart Watson in his Blaze was first over the finish line with Mike Beggs & Vicki Leen second. When the handicaps were applied this time though the positions would reverse. Richard Russell in his RS 100 took a little while to recover from an earlier capsize to take third position.

The wind remained gusty but as the sea was fairly flat due to wind with tide conditions this week. This provided Peter Barton in his Moth ideal conditions to clock a massive 30.5 knots on GPS from Walbank to East mark, could this be a UK record we must ask?

Race 7 Results:

Fast Fleet
1st Luke & Emma McEwen, RS800
2nd David Gautier, Contender
3rd Richard Lilley, RS600

Medium Fleet
1st Mike Beggs & Vicki Leen, Laser Stratos
2nd Stewart Watson, Blaze
3rd Richard Russell, RS100