Foxer Intergalactics at Hamble River Sailing Club

Foxer Intergalactic Championship in Hamble © Malcolm Donald

Foxer Intergalactic Championship in Hamble © Malcolm Donald

Southworth wins the big one

The Foxer has become an iconic symbol of sailing in the Hamble River. The red, white and black sails zipping around the picturesque waterway is now a familiar sight to locals and visitors alike. Naval architect, David Thomas (designer of the Sigma 33, Hunter 707 and BT Global Challenge yachts.) decided to create a yacht tender that can be rowed, motorised or sailed. However, he probably never intended that his creation would be raced by national, international and world champion sailors.

The Foxer has become very fashionable amongst leading sailors living in the Hamble area and every year, the big event is the Foxer Nationals. “It’s challenging!” Grinned Ian Southworth, helm of Gruntle, unwrapping his custom-made rudder. “It’s about balance, tactics and everything great about sailing.” Southworth should know, this year he won the event for the seventh time.

It is not just dinghy champions that race the Foxer; Keelboat champions, Volvo Ocean Race and TP52 sailors race the Foxer, making Southworth’s achievement even more impressive. Winning the Foxer Nationals is like any other highly competitive event, you have to be consistent. Southworth didn’t win a single race until Race 7 but a string of podium finishes meant that he came out on top in the ten race series.

Race 6 was the talking point of the whole regatta, controversy reigned and to cut a long story short, average points were awarded to all competitors for the race which had a dramatic effect on the final standings. The race was also the decisive factor in awarding the ‘Toys out of the pram’ award to Chris Hamel and Tony Kilby who kissed and made up in the Clubhouse with a pint of beer.

The Foxer fleet contains a wide variety of owners, some just clean them off and go out for the fun and for others the boat’s are a serious science project. Incidently, the class also contains several excellent girls, Ruth Taylor gave a very accomplished account of herself as did Heather Ross.

There is no doubt that Foxer racing in the Hamble has become a very competitive affair. But the beautiful 10'8" dinghy is also put to good use as a pleasure boat for all the family and the Hamble River Sailing Club was full of laughter and fun.

What a cracking way to spend a weekend!

Overall Results: