ISO class at Langstone Harbour Race Weekend

Three clubs bordering Langstone Harbour, Langstone, Tudor and Locks SCs hosted the 6th annual Race Weekend, preceded by the Friday night Curry Night at Tudor SC.

With a cold light wind weekend forecast the 55 pre-signed on plus some on the day took to the water at about 12.30 in glorious sunshine. It was looking like a slow sail out down the channel to the course located near Lock SC. The 6 ISOs were given their own race results extracted from the fast handicap fleet.

Course A, windward / leeward set in amongst the yachts and the mooring mines providing an interesting obstacle course. A keen start line all rafted up around the pin in the reasonable breeze for Race 1. 814 with novice crew Paul took the safe option and let the raft get away. Colin and Alison in Serenity were more aggressive leading Vantage Sailing and Tinky Winky to win on their home turf. The runners up enjoyed a joust for their places.

Race 2 in a slightly stronger breeze saw the competition hot up with Stuart and Zoe in Vantage Sailing changing places several times with John and Juliet in Tinky Winky, chased hard by Serenity. Tinky Winky eventually overcoming the challenge to take the win. The competition between the runners up was intense with 814 taking an avoiding tack for the line and capsizing for the camera (!) with 504 crash tacking to avoid the mast tip and capsizing too! The H2O camera had a field day! Bob and Paul in 814 recovered from behind managing to keep 504 and the newcomers in 550 behind them. Lock SC hosted the BBQ evening with day prizes and the evening social.

Sunday and another clear sky with an increased breeze with a mid harbour course away from the obstacle course. Race 3 and order was emerging with Tinky Winky leading Vantage Sailing and Serenity to win, leaving Bob and new crew Naomi to lead 504 to joust for the runners up. Rob and Mellisa in the very pink 550 had a minor disaster retiring with a broken toe strap.

Race 4 and a trawled kite on Serenity cost them dearly, letting the rest of the fleet through to compete for the higher places. The competition remained hot with Bob and Naomi in 814 pressing hard to catch Vantage Sailing. However, John and Juliet yet again pressed home the advantage to win the day and the series. Due to the late tide for Monday most crews opted for hit the road, leaving the Calshot locals Colin and Alison in Serenity to go through to Race 5 and take 2nd place from Vantage Sailing.

A good weekend was had by all, on and off the water. Good to see newcomers Rob and Mellisa having a great time. With thanks to all three clubs and their shore and water crews – a good weekend, well organised.

Overall Results: