IRM Nationals at Royal Southern Yacht Club - Day 1
by Eddie Mays 21 Jul 2007 08:57 BST
20-22 July 2007
'Alice II' edges the first day
With the first start not scheduled until 13:00 the crews of the boats taking part in the first day's racing missed the morning's torrential downpour. However, when racing did start, it rained for most of the first two races. With the wind in a mainly Westerly direction PRO Peter Bateson anchored near the Burgess Salmon buoy and set a windward / leeward course of 1.5 miles.
In the first race the Danish motor yacht 'Siesta II' was caught napping near the windward mark on the first beat. She moved swiftly astern to allow 'Werewolf' (Jerry Otter) to round the top mark just ahead of 'Exabyte' (Shaun Frohlich). These two extended their lead down the run, with the help of the East-going tide and moved even further ahead of the Hennings on 'Alice 2' on the final lap. The RYA Volvo Keelboat crew on 'John Merricks' suffered a major problem with the spinnaker drop at the end of lap 1 and retired leaving 'Fortis Excel' to make sure everyone got home safely.
Race 2 started in a similar vein with 'Werewolf' rounding the top mark just ahead of Jack Pringle's 'Fraxious' and the main body of the fleet. They kept this lead down the run but the others were hunting them down slowly. The second lap proved to be crucial. The fleet was hit by a strong rain squall and when the visibility cleared both the Hennings on board 'Alice II' and Agne Nilsson helming 'Fortis Excel' had passed them. 'Alice II' held off 'FE' to finish 3 seconds ahead at the line and take the victory.
Conditions started to improve by the end of this race and the class decided to sail another short race. This time it was 'Fortis Excel' that excelled and took both line and race honours ahead of 'Alice II'. 'Werewolf' pushed too hard, touched a mark, failed to clear herself from the penalty and retired from the race to drop down the overall table. With two days of racing still to go and the Royal Southern clubhouse bursting at the seams this evening clear heads could be the order of the day tomorrow.