Lymington Town Sailing Club Solent Circuit - Day 4

Stuart Duffin's Elan 310 Flying Boat IV in Class 3 during Race 4 of the LTSC Solent Circuit © Robin Milledge

Following the severe gales of Saturday 2nd November, where gusts of over one hundred miles per hour were recorded at The Needles, the LTSC Race Team were greeted by almost flat calm conditions for the fourth weekend of the Solent Circuit, sponsored by Pennyfarthing Homes.

Thankfully, by the time the racing was due to commence, a light westerly breeze had filled in allowing the race officer to set a series of windward, leeward courses on the mainland side of the Solent.

The J80s were the first fleet to start, led away from the pin end of the start line by Adrian Bateman's Just Do It. By the windward mark Chris and Hannah Neve's, No Regrets had established a commanding lead, which could not be reduced by the chasing pack. With the wind showing signs of fading away and shifting significantly to the north east, the race team decided to shorten all classes at the mid race gate. Toby Collier's Traffic Jam was second J80 to finish, with Just Do It in third place.

In IRC Class One, Ray Crouch's Adams 10, Boomerang and Andy Roberts' J105, Jin Tonic were both recalled for starting fractionally too early, but quick reactions by both crews meant they were still in touch with the fleet despite having turned back to re-cross the start line. A long beat along the mainland shore to a mark just inside Hurst Spit saw Jin Tonic lead the fleet back down the Solent under spinnaker. At the finish Jin Tonic was first with William Newton's J105 Jelly Baby second and Bob Baker's J97, Jaywalker third, but jumping ahead of Jelly Baby on corrected time.

In IRC Class Two Harry Hutchinson's classic Swan 36 made the best of the conditions to take line honours and first place on handicap, followed by Andy Hind's Hanse 29, White Mischief and Pat Stables' Trapper 300, Google-Eye.

In Class Three, for boats racing under the Lymington Adjusted Handicap System, Tim Gales Hanse 370 prevailed over Matt & Maria Perkins, sailing Sandy Fielding's graceful Spirit 37, Strega and John Fitzsimons' Quarter Tonner Sgt Pepper.

The Folkboat class were set a longer course than previous races with a windward leg to the race mark off Pennington outfall. Ed Donald's Madelaine led the way to finish first, with Julian and Clare Sowry's Mistral, Simon Flack#s Stralende and John Cooper's Jen enjoying a close battle around the whole course, with all three finishing within ten seconds. Mistral took second place with Stralende just taking third by half a boat length from Jen. With only three points between the top four Folkboats overall, there is still all to play for in the remaining two races of the series.

The day's racing was sponsored by Ringwood Brewery, with Jason Gould of Marstons & Ringwood on hand to present the daily prizes of Ringwood Bottle packs to the competitors. Full race results can be seen at www.ltsc.co.uk/results. LTSC would like to thank Event Title Sponsor Pennyfathing Homes and supporting sponsors Caldwells Estate Agents, Grabau International, Lymington Yacht Haven, Ringwood Brewery, Rivaaz of Lymington and Harken UK. Racing continues on Sunday 10th November. Details of the event, and on line entry can be found at www.ltsc.co.uk/yacht racing.