Class 40 racing in the SORC Poole and Back races

Theclass 40 Swish, sailed by Rod Knowles and Paul Peggs, during the SORC Poole and Back races © Team Concise

With a fleet of ten Classe 40's assembled in the Solent, five of which have entered the upcoming 'Transat Jacques Vabre' double handed race to Brazil, it was no surprise when an informal race was organised to provide some competitive training, run in parallel with the SORC Poole and Back races on the 14th and 15th September.

Six 40's came to the start line off Gurnard buoy on Saturday morning; 'Al Bucq' sailed by Andy Greenwood, a new Akilaria RC3, had the best start which they held for fourteen miles to the first mark at South West Shingles, Al Bucq was leading from 'Vanquita' a new Humphries boat, and sailed by the Austrian ARC winning team Christof Petter and Andreas Hanakamp.

At the end of the four very shifty windward-leeward legs in Christchurch Bay Al Bouq held the lead with 'Forty Shades of Grey' a generation 1 Akilaria RC1, David Pearce & Tim Rogers, rounding second from 'Phesheya-Racing' another Akilaria 1 sailed by Phillippa Hutton-Squire who has massive experience with the boat having previously finished 3rd in the Global Ocean Race co skippered with Sandy McPearson.

By the time the boats got to the finish more places had changed but 'Al Bucq' was first across the line having lead from start to finish, 'Forty Shades of Grey' crossed second but with Phesheya-Racing crossing the wrong side of the line and having to re round losing their third place to '11th Hour Racing' (ex Forty Degrees) a third generation Owen Clarke design sailed by Hannah Jenner and US Class 40 'guru' Rob Windsor managed to sneak into third. Final place went to 'Swish' Rod Knowles and Paul Peggs on a first generation Rogers design.

The fleet of Classe 40's assembled in Poole made an impressive and unique sight as the crews gathered for post race analysis and supper.

On the Sunday return race from Poole the forecast was to finish in the Solent with winds of 35 knots and as it was relatively short race it was a tough decision on the right sail choice; masthead or fractional kite, full mainsail or one reef in the main ? With five boats coming to the line 'Al Bucq' having to go back early, it was Vanquita leading away from the start with a new co skipper Marc Lepesquex carrying full main and mast head kite surfing at over 20knots at times, followed by 'Forty Shades' with fractional kite and full main. '11th Hour Racing' was laying third with the same sail configuration following close behind Phesheya-racing and Swish both with one reef and fractional kites. As the fleet closed on the Needles and with Vanquita building a reasonable lead the decision to be made was whether to gybe early for the North Channel and flatter water or gybe later and head down the Needles channel with the wind against tide there were some big breaking seas. Swish was the only boat to take the North Channel option. Unfortunately before '11th Hour Racing' could gybe they had a big wipe out and before they could get things under control their fractional kite was torn leaving a big mess to clear up and worryingly close to the Shingles Bank but all was sorted out to head home just under main and Solent.

As the fleet came through Hurst Narrows Vanquita with their masthead kite still under control had opened a large lead and took line honours. 'Shades of Grey' was second with the kite up as they gybed into Lymington and with a fairly safe second place assured and little chance of catching Vanqutia they sailed conservatively dropping their kite and sailing to the finish line off West Lepe in the Solent. Swish was next having made a big gain going through the North Channel also sailed conservatively from Hurst Narrows and finishing third. Phesheya-Racing pushed hard down the Solent with fractional kite and trying to close on Swish but finished fourth with '11th Hour Racing claiming fifth.

A training weekend for the 40's off Gosport is proposed for October 27th – 29th, most of the boats will be there and they may be joined by two brand new boats recently named at the Southampton Boat show; Mike Gascoyne's and Brian Thompson's new very well prepared Akilaria RC3 ' Caterham' and Ned Collier-Wakefield and Sam Goodchild's very impressive looking new Ker designed class 40 'Concise'.

Many thanks to the Solo Offshore Racing Club and race officers for organising this excellent first race for the 40's in the Solent.