IRC Solent Region Championship 2014 - Day 2 at the Portsmouth Regatta

Portsmouth Regatta 2014 © Dave White

This year, the Portsmouth clubs combined to host a new Portsmouth Regatta, with Saturday forming their contribution to the Solent Region Championship. We left the Hamble a little concerned that the forecast was for heavy rain showers. But conditions were great for sailing, sunshine and enough wind that we had to debate which sails to fly.

Bacon rolls and a mug of tea added to the morning's enjoyment, as we sailed past Horse Sand Fort to locate the Committee boat and the start area in Hayling bay. A short delay was announced whilst the inflatable marks were placed and we got into our race positions. The course for race one was set as triangle, sausage, triangle, windward mark and finish at the start line.

We had a good beat up to the windward mark in the building SW wind, but the spreader course was too shy to fly the kite. We hoisted for the next leg and then had a nightmare retrieving it when a crew member (no names) let the guy go before anyone else was ready! Hey ho we eventually got reorganised and finished without any more incidents.

After a short break the second race was announced with a similar course except for a longer leeward leg which helped our less experienced crew. The wind had increased so we decided to change to a smaller headsail, but still the rain held off. It was a good call and we had great boat speed. Despite our new crew members on Xarifa, we were now feeling more confident and enjoyed our race.

In the top group of yachts Zero II was way ahead of the fleet and a pleasure to watch.

Unfortunately, we had to head back to Hamble after the second race, so could not attend the Prize Giving. As we passed Calshot the sky over Southampton turned incredibly dark and the water was an unreal effervescing green – all very spooky. And, of course, the long forecast rain eventually arrived.

Many thanks to Portsmouth Regatta for organising a great day of racing and we look forward to next year. In the meantime, race 3 of the Solent Region Championship will be on 12th July with the Royal Southern.

Overall Results:

Class 1
1st Zero II – James Gair
2nd No Retreat – David Riley
3rd Journeymaker – Chris Makin and Louise Jones

Class 2
1st Xcitable – Peter Hodgkinson
2nd Axtec – Julian Tickner

Class 3
1st Tinker T – Kit Buck
2nd Xarifa – Di Galpin
3rd Premier Cru of Coquet – Trevor Simms

Class 4
1st Crakajax – Richard Hollis
2nd Crazy Horse – Derek Budden