Lymington XOD Autumn Series Race 2

Twelve boats turned out for a lively Autumn Wednesday points race in glorious sunshine and an empty Western Solent. Race Officer Chris Baldwick set a decent course in a WSW breeze averaging 15 to 22 knots at the start.

Off a fair line against the remnants of an ebb tide, the northern, Platform end fared slightly better with Zest initially crossing ahead but soon overtaken by Xray and Clair de Lune having both opted to go further inshore. This route looked great for most of the windward leg until we remembered the can (Alpha) had been moved further South this year. This, coupled with a changing tidal flow, resulted in a significant overstand allowing Mayfly and Lone Star to round ahead of Xray and Clair de Lune. These four were followed by Red Coral, Zest, Mersa and Crumpet in close formation.

Mayfly sailed a well judged line to stay clear ahead running to mark 2 off Yarmouth, where the tide was now ebbing in earnest. Clair de Lune and Mersa tried a course closer to the Island, which sadly for them proved costly. Xray and Lone Star made gains on Mayfly, both realising soonest that a 3 sail reach was both achievable and far more exciting than 2 sails for the leg from 2 to Unicorn.

A very satisfying surfing run with strengthening breeze and building sea took us down to Golf, before a smaller triangle of beat-reach-run then beat to finish. Somewhere in the course of that, Lone Star briefly slipped and speedily hauled back a man-overboard, Xray snuck past Mayfly, and Zest and Clair de Lune both ducked past Red Coral.

We're now slightly bruised with vaguely satisfying aches after another great afternoon of XOD racing!

Race 2 Results: (top five)

1. Xray - James Markby, David Bedford, Ben Paton
2. Mayfly - Rory & Amanda Paton, David 'Spike' King
3. Lone Star - Paul Woodman, Phil Lawrence, Ted Ward
4. Zest - Phil & Jo Brewer, Richard Cearns
5. Clair de Lune - Jeremy Baker, Mike Crow, Nik Froud