Spring Solent Double at Royal Southampton Yacht Club
by David Giddings 7 Apr 2008 21:44 BST
5 April 2008
Racing in the Royal Southampton McGuigan Wines Solent Spring Double Handed Race © John Greenway /
www.marineaction.co.uk
McGuigan Wines Double Handed Series 2008
Workout in northerly blast
Despite a grim forecast of arctic conditions, the first race of the McGuigan Wines Double Handed Series attracted a near record entry of almost 70 boats and an excellent turnout. The hardy crews assembling at the starting area west of Flying Fish buoy in the eastern Solent were greeted by a cold northerly wind gusting up around 27 knots, some sunshine, but thankfully none of the promised wintry showers.
Billed as having a passage race flavour, there were some long legs where crews could settle down and hone their double-handed sailing technique in this early part of the season. After a beat to the windward mark, Class 1 were sent to Royal Thames then all the way to Craftinsure.com off Wootton, and other classes had similar but shorter legs. On the tight reach the brave practiced their spinnaker skills, followed in a few cases by their trawling skills. The later stages of the races were cross tide, and the unwary were caught out by the strengthening ebb, having been deceived by the weak tide earlier on.
The Seacart 30 Buzz sailed by Phil Cotton and Andrew Smith lived up to its name by hammering round the course at an average speed of almost 10 knots, gaining overall line honours. Next to finish was Elan 333 Spirit of St George in Class 2, crewed by Stuart Southwick and Alan Purtill. Thereafter a steady stream of boats appeared. The talk afterwards at the RSYC clubhouse in Ocean Village was of ‘a real workout – no need to visit the gym’ and there was a lively atmosphere as results were announced and prizes in the form of McGuigan wines handed out.
The next race in the Double Handed series is the Weymouth Double which takes place on Friday 2 and Sunday 4 May.
For further information on RSYC racing contact Cathy Crawley, Sailing Secretary, RSYC, Tel: 023 80223352 or email 
