2ndhanddinghies.com RS400 Southern Tour at Locks Sailing Club

Thunderstorms, overcast skies and somewhat less than the Met Office promise of 10 knots greeted the 17 competitors who ventured to Locks SC in Langstone harbour for the one day event on the Saturday 7th June. However, with free bacon roles, coffee and blue skies emerging from the west, spirits were soon lifted and out we ventured into the solent for the 3 race no discard showdown in an increasing breeze from the west and wall to wall sunshine!

With the tide beginning to turn making the first beat a long one, the fleet got away cleanly for the first race with the majority heading for the north shore out of the current. Paul and Mark Oakey from Porchester won convincingly on the shortened two lapper with Nick and Rob Martin from Lee on Solent second and Andy Hatch and Dan Hawkins from QMSC coming through to take third on the last run.

The second race started in slightly less breeze with hiking in the puffs. Again, the Oakey's sailed a faultless race with Andy and Dan a clean second hotly pursued by the Nick and Rob to take third.

The final race again saw Paul and Mark dominate reading the puffs well downwind to win by a good margin. However, behind there were new challengers with Jack Holden and Oliver Miller from Arun delivering a solid second with locals Matt Holden and Alice Pinkey from Lochs a third.

Overall, that left Paul & Mark cleaning up to win the event in style, with Nick & Rob Martin second with Andy Hatch & Dan Hawkins third. However, it was the great hospitality of the volunteers at Locks SC that really made the event - can't wait until next year!

Overall Results: