Brooks Macdonald Warsash Spring Series ready for action
by Flavia Bateson 10 Mar 2014 19:12 GMT
9 March 2014
: The race management team at Warsash Sailing Club prepares for the Brooks Macdonald Warsash Spring Series © Iain McLuckie
There was a distinct hint of spring in the air when the 50-strong race management team from Warsash Sailing Club took to the water for their "practice day" on 9th March 2014. All systems were checked afloat and ashore in readiness for the first races in this premier season-opening event which begins next Sunday 16th March 2014.
Entries are already fast approaching 100 in total. Mike Bridges, winner of IRC3 last year, returns to defend his title in Elaine as does Tim Rees in Menace (IRC4). Michael Bartholomew won IRC1 in both the Spring Series and Spring Championship 2013 with his Mills 40 Tokoloshe and will be competing in the Spring Championship with Tokoloshe II, a GP42. Six J/111s will be vying for position in IRC1 and the J/80s continue in popularity including a French entry.
As well as six Spring Series Sundays, the Spring Championship is being held over the final two weekends of 12th/13th and 26th/27th April. The full Notice of Race and entry details are published on www.warsashspringseries.org.uk. Spring Series, Spring Championship and day entries are all welcome.
Sailing Instructions and competitor packs have been posted to those currently entered and the final class splits for the IRC division will be published on Thursday 13th March. The event uses the standard Solent Cruising and Racing Association buoy coding system and a free 2014 "Buoy Racer" laminated chart is also included for each entry. Skippers can download a GPS-friendly version of the main marks list from the website.
The Club is delighted to announce SLAM UK and Rolly Tasker Sails as race partners. Sports clothing specialists SLAM UK will again be providing a weekly skipper's prize of a SLAM jacket for a free draw as well as crew bags and clothing at the final prize giving. Rolly Tasker Sails is one of the world's leading sailmakers for Offshore Cruising Sails and has also sponsored a Solent racing mark this season.
Warsash Sailing Club extends a warm welcome to all competitors at Shore House. A selection of hot and cold food is available each Sunday as well as two barrels of free beer. Weekly class winners are also presented with a bottle of champagne by title sponsors Brooks Macdonald. A free water taxi is in operation on Sundays before and after racing to and from berths up river as far as Port Hamble.