Devoti D-Ones at the Lymington Dinghy Regatta

D-One at the Lymington Dinghy Regatta © David Gorringe

The D-One fleet descended on Lymington Regatta, hosted by the Royal Lymington Yacht Club and shared with Lymington Town Sailing Club.

Saturday dawned with a slightly overcast weather and light winds. The sea breeze was to be delayed until much later in the day, which gave some interesting results in the first two races.

Race 1, local lad Giles Chipperfield showed the fleet the way round the course closely followed by Tim Garvin and Terry Brooks. Places were changing regularly and the racing was extremely close, as appears to be the norm for this class.

Race 2, saw the fleet set off in a dwindling wind as the sea breeze was trying hard to come through. Chipperfield was clear ahead closely followed by Paul Birbeck. Garvin managed to overtake Birbeck on the second lap and got close to Chipperfield when the breeze completely died off and the race was cancelled. Results being taken from the previous lap.

Race 3, was sailed in a building sea breeze and was best race of the day. Chipperfield got off to a great start but he didn't have it all his way as Garvin and Brooks were permanently challenging throughout the whole race. As the breeze built to a considerable speed Chipperfield managed a capsize at the final leeward mark to let Garvin in for the win, closely followed by Brooks, and Dave Gorringe, showing his turn of speed in the windy stuff.

After a long day on the water, tea and doughnuts were waiting, and afterwards the fleet adjourned to the bar where the food and drink was most welcome.... as was an early bed!

Sunday gave the competitors blazing hot sunshine at 8am onward ensuring the Sea breeze would show its face earlier on in the day... 11am to be precise and this gave plenty of breeze to work with.

Race 4, belonged to Chipperfield again, with Garvin chasing close for the whole race, finishing 30 seconds behind him on the line. Brooks and Birbeck following on after.

Race 5, Chipperfield found some amazing speed in the ever increasing breeze, Garvin 2nd, Gorringe 3rd.

Race 6, By now the Sea Breeze had built to a respectable speed and it was beginning to look like "survival" conditions. Gorringe was unstoppable in the heavy breeze and rarely got bothered at all during the race. Garvin was chasing for 2nd again while the others took a few dives in the bigger waves and wind.

On the last downwind leg Garvin bore off round the windward mark and was waiting for the right moment to hoist the kite in the gusts and waves. Turned around to see Chipperfield, nailing the bare off and hoisting immediately. A screaming downwind leg ensued with the lighter Chipperfield eating into Garvin's lead.

At the leeward mark Garvin dropped early to tack around safely in the strong breeze, while Chipperfield managed a gybe, but tipped it at the last second, to ease the pressure a bit.

Gorringe repeating his favourite trick of "saving the last race of the series for 1st place performance" came 1st, Garvin 2nd, Chipperfield 3rd.

The D-One is capable of holding a wide range of crew weight, and wherever the fleet goes, the racing is extremely tight and exciting. The different wind strengths at this regatta showed how versatile these boats are, and the racing was fantastic.

Next event is Lake Garda Italy, for the Gold Cup.

PY Fast Fleet Overall Results: