LTSC Sunday Early Summer Points Series - Day 6
by Myles Mence 29 Jun 2016 07:54 BST
26 June 2016
Although a gloomy morning, the forecast was for the weather to stay dry for a change with a good sailing breeze increasing to 15-24 knots by lunchtime. This could have had something to do with the good turnout in both fast and medium fleets including three Merlins and four Laser Radials.
With a flood tide and westerly wind Race Officer Myles Mence assisted by Nick Lawrie set two figure of eight type courses extending the time spent by both fleets offwind. Against the forecast the wind veered shortly after the fast fleet start which meant the beat became skewed and by the second round the windward mark could be laid in one. Luke and Emma McEwan in RS800 1220 led the fast fleet round followed by Musto Skiff 394 of Nigel Walbank, in third place was Rob & Jan Martin in their RS400 1433.
The medium fleet had a truer windward mark and close racing between Merlins 3643 of Mark Barwell & Louise Johnson. Taser 363 of Richard Russell and Sylvia Weger and Merlin 3748 of Nigel & Suzie Brooke. Eventually finishing in that order.
By race two the wind had veered to the north west by thirty degrees and the windward mark adjusted accordingly. Port end bias meant some close work at that end of the line and Nigel Walbank in his Musto Skiff 394 was OCS. Luke and Emma McEwan once again showed the way round with the RS400 1439 of Kevin Podger & Heather Chipperfield coming second, Rob & Jan Martin third closely followed by Giles Chipperfield in his D1.
The medium fleet had two tight packs, the leading one made up of Richard and Sylvia's Taser, Neville Herbert & Karl Thorne in their Merlin 3790, Merlin 3643 and the Aero 7 of Peter Barton eventually finishing in that order. The other pack was made up of the Laser Radials with Robby Boyd in 207749 winning by some distance.
Both sets of races lasted one hour and by the end of the final race competitors had had a good leg stretch and were happy to head into the Lymington River and back home.
We would like to thank Harken who have generously donated prizes for this series.