Ineos Solent Circuit 2013 - Day 1
by Alastair Beeton 15 Oct 2013 16:30 BST
13 October 2013
Off to a flying start
Sunday 13th October saw the first race of the Lymington Town Sailing Club Solent Circuit for keel boats, sponsored by Ineos. 41 of the 51 entries came to the start area in the west Solent, to be met by overcast skies and a steady 12 knots of wind from the northwest.
With an ominous weather forecast, predicting strong winds and heavy rain to arrive by early afternoon, the race committee set a race distance to ensure competitors were safely in the bar by the time the weather set it in. All starts got away cleanly, apart from Class four, which saw two boats over the line at the start and having to re-cross the line. All classes were set a short windward leg to the moveable mark, sponsored by Caldwells Estate Agents, followed by a reach to Yacht Haven and a downwind leg to Harken, on the island shore.
Class One, Two and Three had a repeat windward / leeward leg followed by a reach to Hampstead Ledge and a beat to the finish. Chris and Hannah Neve, with Peter Schofield as navigator, racing their Beneteau First 35 No Chance lead class one home, followed closely by Ray Crouch and crew on board Boomerang and Robin Taunt's J109, Jibe. These were the final positions on corrected time.
In Class Two, the results on the water were again repeated on corrected time, with Bob Baker's X332 Brightwork taking line honours ahead of Hepzibah, David Lees and Colleen, Alan Hill.
Class Three and Four were racing for the first time using the new RYA National Handicap for Cruisers. Roger Harford, racing his SB20 Red Kite prevailed in Class Three, followed by Denis Bates in Rollercoaster and Richard Jenner in Bonni Lady.
Class Four saw an excellent turnout with nine boats racing. Oliver Dunne, sailing his Scampi half tonner was first, Googleye, the Trapper 300 of Pat Stables second and Robert Weguelin's E Boat, Egor was third.
The Folkboats had a close race, with the top six boats finishing within three minutes. Chris Hill's Padfoot was first, Edward Donald's Madelaine Second and James Harrison's Tagomago third.
The five RS Elites had a single, long race taking them to the island shore and Solent Bank before a beat to the finish. Keith & Julie Willis were first, sailing Martin and Amanda Wadham's Kiss, E'Tu was second and Peter Dudgeon's Usian Boat third.
The weather forecasters proved their worth, with the rain setting in as the fleet made their way home. The prize giving took place in the Solent Room, with bottle prizes for the first three in each class.
LTSC are grateful to event Sponsors Ineos and supporting sponsors Harken, Rathbones, Lymington Yacht Haven and Ringwood Brewery. Race two of the Ineos Solent Circuit takes place on Sunday 20th October. Entries are welcome through the sailing office at LTSC.