Foxer Boxing Day Pursuit Race at the Royal Southern Yacht Club
by Louay Habib 27 Dec 2012 09:19 GMT
26 December 2012
Foxer Boxing Day Pursuit Race © Louay Habib & Leslie Greenhalgh
Full of Christmas cheer, 15 sailors in the Foxer Class got off the sofa and braved the winter weather for the Foxer Boxing Day Pursuit Race.
The one-hour race saw a staggered start, with a course set across the Hamble river but also around the floating pontoons of The Royal Southern Yacht Club.
Libby Greenhalgh was leading the boys on the first lap, the only girl in the race was defending a substantial lead but the lady Foxer was being hunted down, notably by her brother; Volvo Ocean Race winner and multiple skiff world champion, Robert Greenhalgh.
As the two approached the line, right in front of the Royal Southern balcony, Robert hit a rich vein of wind and looked to be passing his sister but Libby was not to be defeated and remained windward of her brother refusing to let him pass to win the race by half a boat length.
The Royal Southern members traditionally welcome guests to the club on Boxing Day and the Foxer Class, along with their families, enjoyed a full bar and canapés organised by members of the Club.
Royal Southern YC Commodore, David Mead and Shira Robinson officiated at the prize giving, awarding Libby Greenhalgh the winner's prize.