MS Amlin PYRA Poole - Folly - Poole Races

MS Amlin PYRA Folly Races © Mike Fox & Bob Dyer

With 24 entries the final Poole Yacht Racing Association passage races of the year looked like they would be a well supported event.

Leaving Poole on Saturday into a blustery easterly, competitors were met by significant seas with only the largest of yachts entered taking them in their stride - reducing numbers to 15 not surprisingly dominated by Class One racing under the popular VPRS rating system.

All classes started together in the slightly more sheltered waters of Studland Bay, but not long before they had to confront crossing the turbulent Swash Channel and out beating into the easterly across Poole Bay.

Jim Macgregor driving his Elan 410 'Flair V' made the running with PYRA Captain; Rob Gibson on his tail in the Humphreys 50 'Hope and Glory'.

MS Amlin PYRA Folly Races - photo © Mike Fox & Bob Dyer

No surprise that two of largest yachts racing were leading the way against at times squally conditions and a major sea running.

With the tide changing the chasing fleet split some heading out to sea to utilise the full flood with others taking flatter water inshore before all converged to head out around Hengistbury head and avoid seas across Christchurch Ledge.

Out across Christchurch Bay in the smaller classes the Dehler 29 'Vento Novo' in the hands of Brendon & Charlotte Pell dominating Class Two, Keith Lovett's little Ecume de Mer 'MS Amlin QT' in Class Three with Malcolm Smith's Dehler 36 'Ceres' in Class Four.

MS Amlin PYRA Folly Races - photo © Mike Fox & Bob Dyer

Slightly calmer conditions met the fleet as they made their way up the Solent, a short dog leg for Class One and onto finish off Egypt Point. Here the maelstrom surprised all with a large and unpredictable wave pattern off the entrance of the Medina, soaking those on larger yachts and in some cases engulfing the smaller entrants.

Safely motoring up to the Folly, hospitality thanks to event sponsors MS Amlin 'flowed' a renowned PYRA rendezvous concluded with obligatory dancing some venturing onto the tables as expectation demanded.

Light winds on Sunday morning had swung to the west and with only a short tidal window; race officer Peter Biggs wisely moved the fleet west out of the Solent to start at North Head.

MS Amlin PYRA Folly Races - photo © Mike Fox & Bob Dyer

With the remnants of Hurricane Humberto crossing the race track, Classes One and Two were first away. With relentless rain and winds squalling from 10 knots to 25 knots it was again 'Flair V' leading the way in Class One and 'Vento Novo' in Two.

Classes Three and Four starting ten minutes later 'MS Amlin QT' winning the start and leading the fleet all the way to the finish off Poole.

Class Four to untimely be won by the Elizabethan 29' 'Skykomish'

As the infamous John Withers quoted on safe return to Poole, "Uncomfortable, wet, frustrating, hard work, aching bones and bruising - PYRA events where everyone gathers together: Fantastic - I wouldn't have missed it for the World!"