Wildwind Wednesdays Early Points Series at Lymington Town SC - Race 6
by Neville Herbert 29 May 2016 12:19 BST
25 May 2016
What promised to be a Wednesday drifter turned in to a glorious evening sail with just enough breeze to ensure a tightly packed race for the 33 entries across 3 fleets. The Wildwind Wednesdays Early Points Series at Lymington Town Sailing Club saw the highest entry to date with a reaching start providing a colourful spectacle as the fleet made their way out in to the Western Solent. Ian Sanderson was a little too eager in his newly acquired Merlin and jumped the gun in the Medium fleet, leaving him chasing the pack as the 7 & 9 rigs of the Aero's and three Merlin's led out to the river entrance.
Meanwhile the Fast fleet saw ample place changing as the fleet split gybes, navigating both the shallows and ferry whilst running out to the first passing mark. Within half an hour the pressure had built sufficiently allowing the fleet a perfect beat in 10 knots back up the river.
After a tightly packed leeward mark rounding, Nev Herbert's new Merlin led the Medium fleet on the final stretch home with Simon Mcguire in his Aero 9 narrowly holding off Dave Ellis in the Aero 7, closely pursued by Malcolm Buchanan in the Solo and Adrian Baker in the Phantom. At the finish the Aero 7 had won on handicap with the Solo second and Aero 9 third.
In the fast fleet, Dougal Harris in the F18 took line honours in front of John Levells Try 18 but could not extend enough in the softer breeze to beat the RS400s who took the top four places, the winners being Rob & Jan Martin with John & Pam Martin second and Mike Baker third.
The Wednesday points continue next Wednesday with an even greater turn out anticipated.