Magic Marine RS200 Southern Championship at Lymington Town SC

Magic Marine RS200 Southern Championship © Alex Irwin / www.sportography.tv

Magic Marine RS200 Southern Championship © Alex Irwin / www.sportography.tv

When I floated the idea of doing the RS multi class regatta to my crew who had never sailed at Lymington before she asked what the sailing was like. A bit one way I replied. What like Garda she said. A little I replied explaining that both have local winds and when the sea breeze (or Lymington Ora) is in then the sailing is fun and frankly when it isn't, it isn't. Both have tricky launching down a single slip with well drilled helpers and once afloat you have to watch out for ferries that give no quarter and associated other idiots in watercraft who have no concept of navigation rules. Ah like the German windsurfers said my crew, much the same I said except this time they are in powerboats and ribs.

'How about the weather and the drink' she said, 'can you get half a pint of prosecco for 2 euro and drink it on a lovely roof terrace in 30 degrees heat?' 'Er... not really' said I at which she replied, 'so Lymington is not at all like Garda for the important stuff then'. 'No' I said, 'but it is a lot closer and those lovely people at Volvo have lent us a mammoth car for the weekend to barge our way through the M3 queues and shove aside errant New Forest ponies.'

So onto the racing. Saturday bore out my theory that if the Lymington Ora isn't blowing the quality of racing is likely to suffer. We had one good race where the usual good people were at the front and one challenging race where many of them weren't. Congratulations to long standing fleet member Kevin Druce for winning the 2nd race and commiserations to our Olympic coach for proving that even multiple national champions can get the wrong side of wind changes. At least our race officer was kinder than course B and I had a beer in my hand by the time the other fleets made it ashore.

Sunday was much better as the Lymington Ora was blowing. True to form it started lightish and built through the day, at a point the sun even peaked through. Matt Mee is from up North so I'm not sure he has been further south that Lymington but on his and Emma's form on the Sunday perhaps they should visit Riva. With the tide clearly mapping out the way to go blistering downwind pace secured Matt and Emma all three first places and the overall win. The remaining top 5 places were closely fought with 4 points covering 4 teams and places swapping on a race by race basis. Ian Martin's first on Saturday popping him just clear of the rest to claim second overall. Nick Charles and Emma Hivey hiked their way to 3rd just holding off Dicken who's anti-strategy of going out into the tide but with more wind in the last race paid off with a 2nd place enabling him to finish one point ahead of RS clan member Frances Peters with Rob Henderson.

Again our race officer took pity on the tired legs of the fleet and sent us home. This time we were packed up, hitched up and in the bar before the other course came ashore. Many thanks to all the Lymington volunteers for giving up their weekend to run such a large event.

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Overall Results: