Cruiser Racer series 2026 at Lymington Town Sailing Club - Race 6
by Pat Stables 21 Jul 16:12 BST
19 July 2026
Jen - Cruiser Racer series at Lymington Town race 6 © Clare Sleigh
The sixth race of the series turned out to be a small boat race with the wind being more fickle and
fluky than forecast but it was a Northerly! The Race Officer, Nick Hopwood, was greeted by a fleet of
seven boats, including Jen (Nordic Folkboat), out for the first time this year after having her keel
repaired by Baker Marine in Lymington and looking very smart.
A good course across the tide and back was set, in what the Race Officer hoped to be a reasonable
breeze of about 9 knots from the North East, holding all morning, well before any potential sea
breeze tried to establish itself. Escape (J70), Google-Eye (Trapper 300) and Traffic Jam (J80) all got a
good start with their spinnakers going up quickly and set off to 2T (Lymington Bank) well ahead of
the fleet, the two Nordic Folkboats, Otter and Jen, bringing up the rear. Just Do It (J80) and Strega
(Spirit 37) put in a few gybes and soon passed Google-Eye.
Spinnakers came down at the mark and it was then a beat to 2G (Bridgeworks), which was difficult to
spot just off the shore. Most boats made several tacks towards the mark, not wanting to over-stand in
the increasing flood tide, with Escape and Traffic Jam leading the way. Approaching the mainland
shore the wind became a little less consistent and shifty, giving the other boats a chance to catch up.
The two Folkboats behind had been trading places on the beat, with Jen prevailing to the mark first.
Kites were raised once again and the leading pack of four headed inshore out of the tide but ended
up sailing into a hole. Google-Eye behind thought that Traffic Jam had gone aground as she was
absolutely stationery, but spotted the glassy surface on the water beyond a distinct wind line
stretching out towards the mark 2E (Circle Marine) so headed out earlier than planned to keep
within the patch of wind as the other four boats floundered.
She arrived at the mark first until she also
ended up in a private hole herself as Traffic Jam gybed offshore, having escaped her own, reaching
past her at great speed. The other three boats also found the wind, some staying inshore a bit longer
than others but gradually making their way towards the next mark 2U (Tuakana).
In the meantime, the two Folkboats, having their own private battle, maintained the breeze and
speed and were slowly but surely catching up with the rest of the fleet, having previously been some
distance behind. All boats slowly gybed towards the mark with Traffic Jam ending up a bit too far
down-tide letting Escape and Just Do It through in front of her.
Spinnakers were dowsed and all set off
on a white sail reach towards the finish until Traffic Jam launched her kite and then Strega and
Google-Eye followed. Just Do It decided not to watching Traffic Jam struggling to hold onto it as the
wind backed more towards the North and increased. Although Traffic Jam won line honours, Just Do
It were pleased to have finished only 2 seconds behind her.
It was not enough though to win the
game of "Snakes and Ladders" against the smaller boats with the Folkboats sharing the spoils in both
the YTC and LAH fleets, finishing within 30 seconds of each other. The Race Officer had the most fun
in watching the race unfold, and said that perhaps sailing was a "Spectator Sport" after all!
YTC Results:
1. Jen (John Cooper and Becci Wigley)
2. Otter (Nick Ingram)
3. Google-Eye (Pat Stables)
LAH Results:
1. Otter (Nick Ingram)
2. Google-Eye (Pat Stables)
3. Jen (John Cooper and Becci Wigley)