XOD Wednesday Series at Royal Lymington Yacht Club - Race 7
by Eric Williams 2 Jun 2018 07:39 BST
30 May 2018
Lymington XOD Wednesday Series Race 7 © RLymYC
A grey day with light winds but that did not put off the 21 X boats racing at Lymington. E/SE winds about 7 knots and a strong west going tide gave the race officer only one real option which was to send the fleet East. The course was a small triangle from the line to Pywell Inner to Sanders Sails back to Black and White with three rounds.
It was a really interesting start as there was a starboard bias, but less tide at the leeward end. Mersa and Madcap were the most leeward boats and looked to have no benefit initially. However as they got inshore the tidal benefit lifted them round the boats offshore. Their gain was short lived however as they had to tack off into the strong tide again meeting a gaggle of boats that had then got inshore of them.
Zest made a good gain but went on the mud, Adrian Jardine's Lucrezia went on the mud and stayed there and had to wait for a tow. The tacking along the shore was difficult and two boats, Claire de Lune helmed by Max Crowe and crewed by Chris Sanders and Venus sailed by Nick Froud, both stayed slightly offshore avoiding the mud and making a very long starboard tack which enabled them to break clear of the pack rounding the mark 1st and 2nd followed by Madcap Mersa and Zest, the latter making a great recovery after her grounding.
There were few changes for the next two legs and the second beat was made tougher for those behind because the wind had gone slightly more South leading to a very high starboard tack, Mersa did manage to pass Madcap and Zest was very close.
The last round was similar with a good starboard tack, however Zest sailed by Phil Brewer sailed low and fast getting into Pywell Lake and passing Madcap Chris Torrens crewed by David Bedford had also passed Mersa at the windward mark. Zest was flying, however the 2 leaders Claire de Lune followed by Venus were well ahead. This was a good day to practice for Cowes Week and most enjoyed the day but many will need to scrub the mud off their keels.
Lastly, well done X.L. Rory Paton, brother Stuart and Rodney Charman for winning the Spring Cup for the early series.
Full results can be found here.