RNLI 200 Pursuit Race for VPRS fleet at Royal Motor Yacht Club

Under the thoughtful management of the Royal Motor Yacht Club a mixed fleet of yachts from Poole Yacht Racing Association enjoyed an extended pursuit race in Poole Bay on Saturday 8th June.

All to celebrate the RNLI's 200 years of saving lives at sea, with the support of the local Poole Lifeboat Station.

With start times established utilising the VPRS rating system the smallest boat in the fleet; Piccolo, a Beneteau First 21.7 s was first away in 10 knots and Poole Bay sunshine, stating at 10:35 am with a three-hour fixed time period ahead.

Second to start the Ecume de Mer - QT just two minutes later, enjoying the initial beat into Sandbanks was soon able to overhaul the smaller Beneteau and round the windward mark with a notable lead,

RNLI 200 Pursuit Race for VPRS fleet in Poole Bay - photo © Rhy Parry

Also breaking away from the pack of smaller boats; the Impala 28, Nyala was soon on QT's heels, the smaller Ecume de Mer managing to hold off for two hours, before the Impala inevitably broke through. Perhaps a testament to good race management and the VPRS ratings, these positions remained until the final upwind leg of the course with 10 yachts all in close proximity.

Within a matter of minutes of the race time limit, A31, Red Fox and the Dehler 36, Elevation overhauled QT but within only 5 or 6 boat lengths were not quite able to catch Nyala, delighted to win overall.

Equally QT was able to stay just two boat lengths ahead of the far larger Beneteau First 34.7, Zorra IV. A nail bighting finish, with a complete array of boat sizes following three hours racing.

Competitors all gathered on the sun-drenched veranda of the Royal Motor Yacht Club, joined by their local Poole Lifeboat Crew, in attendance with their Atlantic 85 Lifeboat.

With the RNLI water safety team also on call, some 75 life jackets were inspected, followed by a prize-giving including winners of each class courtesy of Stoneways Marine plus an RNLI prize pennant and bottle of RNLI port etched with the Poole Station lat and long, for overall winner Nyala, too good to drink!

Results:

1st Nyala - Impala 28
2nd Red Fox - Archambault A31
3rd Elevation - Dehler 36
4th QT - Ecume de Mer
5th Zorra IV - Beneteau First 34.7
6th Sea Jem - Roscoe 33 Custom
7th Ghost Train
8th Shebeen - Alban Balard
9th Vento Novo - Dehler 29
10th Cara -Elan 333
11th Sea Thistle - Sun Odyssey 32.2
12th Addiction - Beneteau First 40.7
13th Hey Jude - Sigma 33 OD
14th Ceres - Dehler 36CWS
15th Piccolo - Beneteau First 21.7
16th Vent de Globes - Figaro II

Nyala, Winner - RNLI 200 Pursuit Race for VPRS fleet in Poole Bay - photo © Rhy Parry