Lymington XOD Autumn Series - Update

Lymington XOD Autumn Series racing © Phil Wiles

The Lymington XOD Autumn Series is now well under way, and so far there have been three races completed and four races left to sail. At the moment Rory Paton sailing XL is leading the results with an excellent 1,1,2 scoreline.

Race 1

A good turnout of 17 starters for this race - With the wind blowing from the South an interesting course was set by Chris Baldwick, a close hauled leg to Black Rock, a spinnaker run to Yacht Haven buoy and then back to the Island and another Spinnaker back to Inner Pennington then to the finish off the club via the Berthon buoy. Rory Paton in XL had a fantastic start and managed to have a substantial lead at the fist mark which he never lost, behind him there was a battle for 2nd between David daCunha in Mayday and Richard Field in Persephone throughout the whole race, Mayday finally won by 1 second. The next four boats led by Karl Thorne in Mersa, Stuart Jardine in Madcap, Ado Jardine in Lucrezia and Robin Balme in Xray were goasting down the river with the ferry chasing them, Robin Balme managed to sneak past them on the far side of the river to beat Ado by 5 seconds.

Race 2

There were 14 starters, on a blustery afternoon with the wind coming from the North-West with 20 knot gusts and a strong ebb-tide. The fleet were set a running start to Hampstead Ledge buoy, predictably chaos ensued as the boats arrived in a large pack and it was a starboard rounding. Rounding ahead of the fleet and staying out of trouble was Rory Paton in XL. There followed a long beat back to Berthon where place changes were made through the fleet, a broad reach to Jacksons, a beat back to Inner Pylewell, a run to Berthon and then an awkward beat back up the river for a Club finish. Rory Paton dominated the race and was followed home by Paul Woodman/Olliver James in Ibex, and Ian Burr sailing Diana.

Race 3

For Race 3 there were 15 starters, with a 12 knot breeze from the East. There was a short beat to a moveable mark which Rory Paton in XL rounded first just ahead of Karl Thorne in Mersa, there followed a long run against the tide to Dunford Buoy, with most of the fleet electing to take the direct route. The next beat was a long one back to Jacksons, where it was important to stay on the southern side of the Solent to collect the best tide and pressure. There was then a shy spinnaker reach to Tanners and then a run to the river mouth. Not long after rounding Tanners the wind had died off considerably, Richard Field in Perspehone made a winning move by crossing the fleet and carrying on inshore to cheat the tide. Once in the river it was a shy spinnaker reach and then fetch to the club line. Richard Field won ahead of Rory Paton in XL and Ian Burr in Diana.

Series Standings: (after 3 races)

1. XL - Rory Paton, 4pts
2. Persephone - Richard Field, 10pts
3. Lucrezia - Ado Jardine, 17pts
4. Ibex - Paul Woodman / Oliver James, 18pts
5. Mersa - Karl Thorne, 18pts
6. Diana - Ian Burr, 19pts