Hamble River Sailing Club Wednesday Night Series A - Day 8
by Lis Robinson 25 Jun 2015 22:02 BST
24 June 2015
Last night was a big night in every sense of the word. The last race of Series A with the winners for most of the classes still in contention, BIG WEDNESDAY and, in addition, last night was the Wednesday night keelboat race of the River Hamble Combined Club Regatta. With the dinghy fleet sailing in the Cat Head area, a total of some 77 boats were racing off the River Hamble.
The weather forecast showed a possibly dying breeze towards the end of racing and with some thirty-odd competitors ranging from Cornish Shrimpers to French Pogo's the pressure was on for RO Kathy Smalley who opted for a beat to Mark and a kite-able reach down to varying leeward marks depending on class, followed by a beat and a shy reach home to Hamble Point.
There was a high level of competition on the various start lines but, deterred by the eagle eye of line officer Patrick Pym, all fleets were exceptionally well behaved and got away on time. Most on the beat up to Mark were treated to a good view of the lovely and recently restored Shemara as she went down Southampton Water. The XOD fleet took advantage of the slight pin end bias to demonstrate impeccable port flyers. Midnight Cowboy (Steph Merry) in Class 1 appeared to relish the course as she romped off, steadily working her way through the earlier starters.
Wight Hare (Derek & Chris Hand) showed a rather dirty bottom to the Committee Boat as she started, which definitely impeded her progress round the course and Light (Rob Denning) reduced her late start margin considerably over previous weeks! With consummate skill the RO brought the varying fleets home within a relatively short time of each other which gave rise to a few inter-fleet duelling matches on the shy reach home.
In the XOD fleet Shri (Ben McGrane) didn't need to turn out to win the series but Leading Wind (Hamish Calder) lived up to her name to take the line and second overall with Satu (Andy Hamlett) second last night (despite Satu requesting her pursuit race start time) and third in the series whilst Mischief (Wilson, Wilson & Neale) took third on the night.
Class 3 turned out eight competitors which made for a lively start with Applejack (Craig Cossar and Natalie Gray) taking turns after an encounter with Cockleshell (Jonty Sherwill). Mahjong (Steve Powell) took the win Followed by Cockleshell and Fritha (Bob Allen) but Fritha took the series with Forethought of Gosport (Mike James) and Mahjong successively in the series under club handicap with Cockleshell popping into second place and shifting the opposition down a place under NHC.
In Class 2 fittingly the new Impala National Champions Two Frank (Sam Flint and Olly Love) won an Impala trio with Imptish (Barney Smith) and Polly (Meakins & Cudmore) behind matching their 1,2,3 positions at the nationals. This however was not enough to keep Imptish from the club series win, with Polly in second and Needlework (Patrick Pymm & Peter Smith) in third. Under NHC Mist (Ross & Undraa Elliston) took third with the leading boats unchanged. Light, despite her relaxed start, took second to Midnight Cowboy in Class 1 with Wee Bear (Chudziak, Horner & Malas) in third. La Nef (John Noe) took overall second with Wee Bear third.
Wednesday night racing continues next week with the Copper Kettle pursuit race. Racing is free for all members of Hamble River Sailing Club with annual membership costing less than many other series entry fees. Details of the full activities, training courses and events of the Club are on the Hamble River SC website.
Racing is free for all members of Hamble River Sailing Club with annual membership costing less than many other series entry fees. Details of the full activities, training courses and events of the Club are on the Hamble River SC website, www.hambleriversc.org.uk