Royal Lymington Yacht Club Portmore Insurance Spring Series - Day 2

Boomerang win Class 1 on day 2 of the Portmore Insurance Spring Series © Hannah Neve

With the wind and rain a complete change from last Sunday, the 2nd day of racing would prove to be a bit more taxing for the crews and the Race Committee huddled on the comfort of Belle Amie. With the tide just on the turn it was a split decision for Class 1 as to whether to head up the shore or further off hoping the tide hadn't turned as much.

With the shifty breeze the inshore route was favoured with Zarafa coming out ahead at the first mark 'Lymington Bank'. On the 2nd beat to a movable mark, No Chance managed to lay the offshore mark whilst Boomerang and Jelly baby both overstood and Jibe suffered from gear failure. Zarafa got line honours and won on handicap from Boomerang.

In race 2 the first mark was 'Harbour East' just off Yarmouth Pier, Class 1 led by No Chance could not find the buoy and the Class went around it as a virtual buoy using their plotters (it had been removed for maintenance!). The race committee hurriedly set 'We're Here' as a substitute mark for subsequent Classes. In a brisk run to 'Bridgefords' Boomerang held off the chasing Jelly Baby to win on handicap with No Chance in 2nd.

In Class 2 it was the larger and heavier displacement boats that revelled in the conditions with Hephzibah winning both races. Brightwork put up a good fight in the first race until she fouled a Class 1 boat and had to do a penalty turn. This almost allowed Accomplice to catch her if it were not for a spectacular broach that put paid to Accomplice's chances.

In race 2 Brightwork working the Island shore overlaid the substitute mark allowing Hephzibah and Accomplice who had come from the mainland side to sneak through to finish 1st and 2nd. Dick Moore who is after some lighter weather next week commented "It was really tough on Colleen, we even put in a second reef for race 2. It didn't slow us down at all and we pointed better, but went the wrong way up the beat!"

The RS Elites dominated LH 1 class in the stronger winds this week with their upwind speed helping on the long, foul tide beats. After a closely fought port tack start at the pin in the first race, Kiss went on to take two bullets and Easy Does It and E'Tu a 2nd and 3rd each. Charlie and Olivia Roberts Contessa 32 South Haze picked up two consistent 4th places, to lie in 4th place at the half way stage of the series, behind the leading Elites.

Full results at www.rlymyc.org.uk/Racing/Results/results.shtml