Fast 40+ Class Round 5 at the Hamble Winter Series
by Louay Habib 10 Oct 2016 16:53 BST
8-9 October 2016
Alex Mills at the helm of KER40 Invictus was the winner of Fast 40 season Round 5, scoring four wins out of 6 races at the Hamble Winter Series event © Paul Wyeth /
www.pwpictures.com
The inaugural FAST40+ season came to a conclusion on Sunday 9th October with, the fifth and final round of the 2016 FAST40+ Race Circuit. Alex Mills at the helm of KER40+ Invictus was the winner of Round 5, scoring four wins out of six races and securing the team second place overall for the season. Peter Morton's Carkeek 40+ Girls on Film was second, enough to win the 2016 FAST40+ Race Circuit. Mike Bartholomew's Carkeek 42 Tokoloshe failed to make the podium for the regatta, but consistency throughout the season was rewarded with third place overall for the South African skipper.
"On behalf of all the FAST40+ owners I would really like to thank Stuart (Childerley) and Rob (Greenhalgh) and the management team. It has been a fantastic season of racing, the highlight for me was the One Ton Cup, personally there is a lot of history there. The racing has been incredibly close and getting more competitive as each race was held. Well done Alex (Mills) this weekend, and let us all look forward to next year." Peter Morton-Girls on Film.
"Well sailed Morty! Over the course of the season Girls on Film were the rightful winners. It has been a fantastic season, when we all look back on the superb racing we have all enjoyed and the fun as well. The FAST40+ are just so much fun to race and competing for prestigious trophies at Cowes Week, and of course the One Ton Cup, has been really special. It was nice to finish the season with a victory. The team performed really well, with good boat speed and we consistently put the boat in the right place." Alex Mills - Invictus
Round 5 of the FAST40+ Race Circuit was held as part of the Hamble River Sailing Club's Winter Series and consisted of six races, over 8-9 October, with windward leeward and round the cans races. The points factor for the series was 1.5 and with the discard rule only kicking in for the last race, Round 5 went to the wire. A gentle but shifting north easterly breeze tested the tactical awareness of crews. On the second day, brilliant sunshine and an accelerated wind speed, produced superb sailing conditions in the Solent.
Seven of the ten yachts made the podium during Round 5, testament to the level of competition that has emerged from the class. Mark Rijkse's Reichel Pugh 42 South, nailed Race 3 to score their first bullet. Steve Cowie's Botin/Carkeek 42 came within seconds of scoring their first win in Race 3 and also Race 5. The Scottish team nailed the pin end in the penultimate race to lead the fleet for much of the race. There were podium finished for Jonny Vincent's KER40+ Pace and Tony Dickin's Farr 42 Jubilee. However the outstanding performance came from a new team to the circuit, Heinz Peter Schmidt young German team racing Felci 42, Silva Neo, which scored three podium finishes to claim third for the regatta.
The FAST40+ Race Circuit Prize Giving was held at the Royal Southern Yacht Club in Hamble. Kenneth Munro, Commodore Hamble River SC, presented prizes to the top three teams in Round 5. Chris Mansfield, Commodore Royal Southern YC, presented the prizes for the top three teams for the season.
"It has been a very successful first season and we are going to build on this. The first AGM has been held for the class and we now have the circuit planned for next year. We have discussed future plans including the One Ton Cup and other events. We will also be welcoming new members to the class next year, we have had a huge amount of interest from all over the world. A Swedish and Dutch team are fully expected to join the FAST40+ Class next year and we are talking to many more." Robert Greenhalgh - FAST40+ Class President.
The 2017 FAST40+ Race Circuit and any rule changes will be finalised by the end of October.
For more information visit www.fast40class.com