Ibex takes the win in the Lymington XOD fleet Christchurch Ledge Race

Ibex wins the Lymington XOD Series Christchurch Ledge race © RLymYC

In gusty winds of up to 26 knots from the SW, Race Officer Malcolm Mckeag set a course for the X One Designs in their Long Race West taking them to North Head buoy, Christchurch Ledge buoy, back to North Head and with a finish in Lymington River.

With a strong ebb tide surging the fleet through Hurst Narrows and not far behind the tail enders of the Round the Island Race, it paid to take advantage of the tide close to Fort Albert on the Island shore and first through was X164 Diana helmed by Ian Burr followed by X140 Lucrezia helmed by Ado Jardine.

Whilst some of the fleet initially took a more southerly route to the first buoy, Diana and Lucrezia, who had also been joined by X32 Ibex helmed by Paul Woodman, close tacked in a more direct route and rounded seconds apart with Ibex leading Diana and Lucrezia.

There followed an exhilarating spinnaker run with the sturdy XODs surfing on the stern waves. Ibex led the way to the finish with Lucrezia and Diana having a close fought duel just metres apart for the whole of the downwind leg. However, in sparring with each other they allowed Z9, Zest, helmed by Phil Brewer to get ahead as she stayed in more favourable tide.

Overall Results: (top five)

1st X32 Ibex - Paul Woodman & Oliver James
2nd X9 Zest - Phil & Jo Brewer
3rd X140 Lucrezia - Ado Jardine
4th X164 Diana - Ian Burr
5th X119 Lone Star - Stuart Jardine