Spring Series at Royal Temple Yacht Club - Day 1
by Peter Jackson 16 May 21:07 BST
11 May 2025
The start of the RTYC Spring Series was delayed by a travelhoist problem leaving most of the fleet ashore
for 4 weeks as the Dunkirk anniversary fleet flooded the harbour. Imported cranes managed to get over 20
boats afloat before the delayed first race, sailed in two classes off Ramsgate, in a perfect force 4 with wall
to wall sunshine.
The IRC class ranges from the ex Richard Matthews Melges 24 'Lock Stock' of Simon Northrop, the
modified Cork 1720 'Flying Pig' of Martin Law, and lowest rated X99 'Xpedite' of the Poupard Family up
to the ex Solent Points champion Pronavia 42 Sport 'Assassin' of Peter & Alex Jackson, and Matt Green &
Grant Forwoods Far East 31 'Sidewinder'.
The wind had backed to the North turning the beats into fetches, and with runs against the spring tide, best
suiting non-asymmetric HOD 35 'Buccaneer II' of Peter Pearson et al, and X-362 Sport 'Stiletto' of
John Barrett & ex 332 National Champion Paul Woodward.
Assassin hit the front early and slowly
stretched out a lead, but with Buccaneer II staying close enough to hold her time and hold the higher rated
Stiletto at bay.
The asymmetric boats Lock Stock, Flying Pig and Gary Walters J97 'Jura' were killed by the square foul-
tide runs with to little wind to get onto the plane, slipping down the fleet behind Nick & Fiona Rawbone's
First 34.7 'Warrior', 10 minutes behind the leaders.
Both Assassin and Stiletto had slight kite halyard
issues while Buccaneer II sailed a perfect race to cement a corrected time victory by 2 minutes from
Stiletto, with Assassin getting line honours but correcting to third.
The local handicap fleet, on a shorter course, was more depleted by the delayed series start. The First 25
'Eroica' and Corby 26 'Bad Boys' also pulling out. John and Michelle Stoneley's Sun Odessy 37 'Pippy'
stretched out to a comfortable win from Michael (Chalky) White & Co's UFO 31 'Manyana'.