Lymington Town Sailing Club Solent Circuit - Day 4

Race 4 of Lymington Town Sailing Club's Solent Circuit was sailed in challenging conditions. Challenging, not because of the stronger winds of the previous weeks, but because of a fickle 12 knot easterly breeze, a strong ebb tide and just three quarters of a mile visibility.

Racing started promptly with the IRC fleet first away. In a tightly contested start, Bob Baker's Jay Walker was first away pushed high by Ray Crouch in Boomerang. The fleet had a 2 mile beat along the Hampshire shore before crossing to the Caldwell's mark (no 5) on the Island Shore. This was followed by a long run to Lymington Bank and a beat back to the gate. When the fleet emerged out of the mist Boomerang had narrowly passed Jay Walker and as the course was shortened these were the finishing positions, with Jay Walker taking the win on handicap. William Newton's Jelly Baby was third to finish but the Hunter 707, Gravity, of Hannah Morton held on to finish just 9 minutes behind to take 3rd. The outstanding protest from last IRC race 3 was resolved and the results were allowed to stand with Gravity winning from Jelly Baby and Colleen. Jay Walker now leads the series ahead of Colleen and Boomerang.

The Lymington Adjusted Handicap class sailed a similar course but with a shorter first beat they completed their lap amongst the faster IRC boats. The SB20 Red Kite of Roger Harford was first to finish followed by the modern classic yacht Strega sailed by Matt Perkins. These two could not hold off the smaller boats and the win went to Pat Stables in the Quarter Tonner Google Eye with George Trevelyan's Late Again second. Google Eye now narrowly leads the series from Richard Truscott's Westerly Konsort Unity.

Seven J80s started and sailed two laps of a windward leeward course. Chris and Hannah Neve in No Regrets led from start to finish and are now starting to consolidate their position at the head of the fleet. Claire Carden in Jitterbug sailed a steady race to climb to second with Andy Ash-Vie in Wildcat III third. Ray Mitchell in Checkmate is second overall.

Eleven folkboats sailed a shorter trapezoid course. There was a great deal of place changing as competitors tried to judge the layline against the tide for the windward mark and the gate. Simon Flack in Stralende judged it best and was followed home by Chris Hills in Padfoot and James Hoare in Samphire. Padfoot now leads the series from Stralende and Samphire.

Thank you to our sponsors; Caldwells Estate Agents, Lymington Yacht Haven, Harken and Ringwood Brewery. The series continues with race 5 next Sunday 6th November.

Day 4 Results:

IRC
1). Jay Walker, Bob Baker
2). Boomerang, Ray Crouch
3). Gravity, Hannah Morton

LAH
1). Google Eye, Pat Stables
2). Late Again, George Trevelyan
3). Dynamic, John Turner

J80
1). No Regrets, Chris & Hannah Neve
2). Jitterbug, Clare Carden
3). Wildcat III Andy Ash-Vie

Folkboat
1). Stralende, Simon Flack
2). Padfoot, Chris Hills
3). Samphire, James Hoare