XOD Autumn Series at Royal Lymington Yacht Club - Race 7

by Philip Brewer 24 Oct 2016 11:02 BST 22 October 2016

XL in the groove

• Wind: NNE average 8-10 knots
• Course: Pi, B, E, C, D, S - all marks to port, Club finish

Twenty-two boats turned out for the penultimate Saturday race in pleasant autumnal conditions. With a healthy port end bias by the starting platform, boats needed to get away quickly from the melee on port tack for the first leg up to Pi, set close inshore. Condor and Xoanon emerged best initially but it was XL having stayed a little further out in the stronger flooding tide that rounded the mark ahead of Condor followed by Zest and Xoanon.

The run down to B proved testing as boats aiming to benefit from less tide closer inshore also found the breeze more fickle there. Mersa and Claire de Lune gained some ground whilst XL and Condor managed to steal away to enjoy some match racing out in front.

The north-easterly breeze dealt its customary shifts keeping every-one on their toes and provided some good close racing in the chasing group on the windward leg to E. The most significant gain, however, came on the next run with Ibex sailing a low course to gain the inside privileges at the leeward mark to turn in third heading up the final beat and holding off the challengers to the end.

XL managed to control the race ahead of Condor maintaining the lead to the finish up the river in front of the cheering crowds enjoying the last rays of sunshine on the club balcony. The series remains open with all 3 podium finishers in with a shout.

Race 5 Results:

1st XL – Rory Paton
2nd Condor – Joey Hutchinson
3rd Ibex – Paul Woodman & Ollie James
4th Zest – Phil & Jo Brewer

Full series results can be found at rlymyc.org.uk/OnTheWater/Fleets/XOD/XOD_Results.aspx