CraftInsure Silver Scorpion Open at the Lymington Dinghy Regatta
by AJ Eaton 25 Jul 17:21 BST
19-20 July 2025
Fourteen Scorpions accepted the Lymington Town SC and Royal Lymington YC invitations to enjoy a class start in their regatta for the third year, a great addition to the CraftInsure Silver Scorpion Open Meeting circuit.
Day 1
Narrowly avoiding the thunderstorms deluging much of the South East the Scorpions enjoyed three good races with five female helms competing, with six female crews and one boat, the RYA Female Scorpion Project's 1905 Syruptitious, being sailed by two young women. The project was delighted to be visited by Andy Service's old friend Jim Hunt who wished the female sailors every success.
Race 1 set the pattern in the foul tide resulting in a good start and an early tack onto port being decisive. Ollie Meadowcroft crewed by Rob Gardner sailing 2053 won followed by P&B's Dave Wade crewed by the RYA Female Scorpion Project's Matty Evans with Dave's daughter Imogen crewed by Simon Forbes third and AJ & Chris Eaton fourth.
Race 2 ran a similar course in an increasing breeze with Wade & Evans winning from Wade & Forbes, Meadowcroft & Gardener were third and the RYA Female Scorpion Project's Arwen Fflur & Andy Service were fourth.
Race 3 was shortened to one fast lap with Wade & Forbes taking the gun from Meadowcroft & Gardner with Wade & Evans third and Chloe Willars & John Tailby fourth. A notable win as Imogen reckons its the first time she has beaten her Dad in a Scorpion.
The racers were welcomed back to Lymington after a full afternoon's competition with a great supply of jam doughnuts and the promise of a stiff breeze for the Sunday morning races.
After day one the results table was as follows:
1. 2051 Mrs Bear's Boat Imogen Wade & Simon Forbes Staunton Harold SC - 6 points
2. 2053 Ollie Meadowcroft & Rob Gardner RNLI - 6 points
3. 2061 Dave Wade & Matty Evans Draycote Water SC - 6 points
4. 2014 Intoxicated AJ Eaton & Chris Eaton Star Cross YC - 15 points
5. 1929 L'Espirit de Turnip Arwen Fflur & Andy Service Delph SC - 15 points
6. 2017 Silver Balls! Chloe Willars & John Tailby Bartley SC / Notts County SC - 19 points
Day 2
Most of the Scorpion fleet congregated in the Lymington Town SC bar early Sunday morning enjoying the catering in the club house as the start was delayed by 1 then 2 hours due to 25+ knot average wind speeds keeping all the boats ashore.
Many boats from the regatta including a couple Scorpions voted with their feet and packed up their boats before the decision was taken to race at 12.30pm. The boats took to the water in the relative lee of the true wind awaiting the fleet past the mouth of the river. When the boats reached the race area the wind was still 20+ knots with some big gusts blowing through, which continued until all boats had finished racing.
Most crews opted for maximum rake and flattener and were looking to get round the trapezoid course without capsizing, which not many managed it during the day.
Race 4 (2 laps) saw Dave wade lead at the windward mark, Ollie Meadowcroft was 2nd but was taken by the strong tide on to the mark and snagged it. AJ & Chris Eaton overtook followed by Imogen Wade. Fortune did not favour the brave with the top three all hoisting spinnakers on the run and capsized at various points, with Dave & Matty loosing their rudder and having to retire from the racing. The fleet bunched up again on the beat and again those who flew spinnakers downwind either did well or capsized. Ollie & Rob1st, Alistair & Francesca 2nd, Arwen & Andy 3rd.
Race 5 (2 laps). Half the fleet stayed out to battle round for the second race of the day with no drop in wind speed. It felt like the fleet had learned from the previous race and there were less capsizes and exhilarating rides downwind. Ollie & Rob won from start to finish, AJ & Chris 2nd, pushed hard by Imogen & Simon in 3rd.
The majority of the boats that finished race 2 thought that racing was finished for the day and some sailed in. However, there would be one more race!
Race 6 (1 lap). The wind picked up and only three boats lined up for the final sprint race, the crew who kept their boat upright would probably win and that was the case. AJ & Chris led round the windward mark followed by Chloe & John and Malcolm & Monty. By the leeward mark and then over the finish line, the order had reversed with Malcolm in 1st, Chloe in 2nd and AJ in 3rd.
Overall Results:
1. 2053 Ollie Meadowcroft & Rob Gardner - RNLI
2. 2051 Imogen Wade & Simon Forbes - Staunton Harold SC
3. 2014 AJ Eaton & Chris Eaton - Star Cross YC
4. 2017 Chloe Willars & John Tailby - Bartley SC / Notts County SC
5. 1929 Arwen Fflur & Andy Service - Delph SC
6. 2021 Malcolm James & Monty Hampton - South Cerney SC