Lymington Town Sailing Club Solent Circuit - Overall
by Robin Milledge & Alex Barnes 27 Nov 2015 19:33 GMT
22 November 2015
Following a week of high winds and mild weather competitors in the LTSC Solent Circuit for keel boats were faced with a calm and cold morning on Sunday 22nd November for the final race of the series, sponsored by Rathbones Investment Managers.
With the committee boat on station, things looked promising, with a gentle north westerly breeze developing, however, the by the time of the first start a glassy calm had descended over the west Solent, leaving the fleet struggling to make way against the strong ebb tide.
Principal Race Officer, Nick Hopwood had no choice but to postpone racing and wait for the wind to return. By eleven o'clock, it was apparent that the waiting was in vain and the wind was not going to play the game. Racing was abandoned for the day and the crews made their back to their moorings and on to the club house for the series overall prize giving.
Prizes were presented by Caroline O'Callaghan of Rathbones and included an impressive selection of goods donated by the series sponsors including Rathbones Investment Managers, Caldwells Estate Agents, Lymington Yacht Haven, Ringwood Brewery, Harken, Nick Cox Yacht Chandlers and Coastal Pursuits.
LTSC would like thank all competitors, sponsors and volunteers for supporting the Solent Circuit and the club.
Final report from Alex Barnes
The final race in the 2015 Lymington Town Sailing Club Solent Circuit was abandoned on Sunday due to low winds.
It marks the third time this series that racing was abandoned due to the conditions out on the water, with this being the second time because the winds were too low.
Race Four in the circuit was delayed due to low winds, but was ultimately run as conditions improved while race 6 was abandoned due to the high winds.
No racing on Sunday meant that all the series titles finished as they were after race 5, with Boomerang and Zarafa in the IRC class having to be separated on previous results after they finished level on points.
Race Officer Nick Hopwood admitted that he felt frustrated as he was forced to cancel the finale, but he, assistant RO Rob Milledge and the race committee, were praised for running the entire event so well under challenging conditions.
The Solent Circuit is set to return next year, with Coastal Pursuits scheduled to provide the Committee boat again.
Overall Results:
Class 1 (IRC)
1. Ray Crouch (Boomerang)
2. Peter Schofield (Zarafa)
3. Andrew Roberts (Jin Tonic)
Class 2 (Lymington Adjusted Handicap 1)
1. Bob & Jon Baker (Jaywalker)
2. Allan Hill (Colleen)
3. Charles Roberts (South Haze)
Class 3 (Lymington Adjusted Handicap 2)
1. Barry Dunning & Bob Fisher (Rosenn)
2. Pat Stables (Google-Eye)
3. Robert Young (OK Yah)
Class 4 (Folkboat)
1. Chris Hills (Padfoot)
2. John Cooper (Jen)
3. Nick Ingram (Otter)
Class 5 (J80)
1. Andrew Hurst (Fiducial)
2. Nick Kirkman (Jane)
3. James Harrison (Megstar)
Class 6 (RS Elite)
1. Jonathan Proctor (Wombat)
2. Martin Wadhams (Kiss)
3. Steve Powell (E'Tu)