Wednesday, April 25, 2018

More Light Winds @ Helly Hansen Warsash Spring Series

J/109 sailing Warsash series (Warsash, England)- Success in the second day of racing in the Helly Hansen Warsash Spring Series on Sunday 15th April went to those skippers who played the strong tides in the Solent and managed to stay in breeze.

Having lost two Sunday's of racing due to the weather, the race committee was keen to get racing going. Despite the breeze not reaching the numbers forecast, it managed to run two races for the Black Group and the usual three races for White Group.

J/70s sailing Warsash Helly Hansen spring seriesBlack Group's two starts were near Robin Culpan buoy in the Solent, with courses running towards East Bramble and Goodall Roofing; upwind against the building tide, and downwind with it. Most boats chose to stay offshore in the steadier breeze rather than seeking less tide inshore.

IRC 1 class saw Paul Griffith’s JAGERBOMB post a 4th to move themselves up to 5th overall. In IRC 2 class in the first race, Chaz Ivill’s J/112E DAVANTI TYRES won their second race and now leading the class in the series.  In IRC 3 class, David Greenhalgh’s J/92 J’RONIMO continue to sail consistently and are sitting in 3rd for the series.

The winners in the two races for the J/109 class were JIRAFFE (Simon Perry) and JUST SO (David McGough).  As a result, JIRAFFE leads with 5 pts, while JUST SO and Mike & Susie Yates’ JAGO are tied on 10 pts each.

J/88's sailing Warsash Spring seriesWinning both races in the J/88 class was Richard Cooper’s JONGLEUR to take the class lead with 4 pts.  Posting two 2nds to hold on to second place was Gavin Howe’s TIGRIS with 5 pts.  Currently sitting in third position is Tim Tolcher’s RAGING BULL with 11 pts.

The White Group was started with a tight beat near the mainland shore and a light Southerly breeze that then started flicking more Easterly. The first start was against the tide, which helped ensure no premature starters.

The committee boat moved more offshore for race 2 and again everyone was well behaved and got away cleanly. In race 3, there was one boat over the line and a collision (!), and the windward mark had to be moved for subsequent laps as the breeze swung.

Graham Clapp’s JEEPSTER is currently leading the J/70 class with three bullets in their scoreline.  However, tied on points with them is Doug Struth’s DSP counting all 1sts and 2nds.  Sitting in third is Jon Powell’s PEGGY. Closing with three bullets last weekend, Mike Lewis’ JESTER leads the J/80 class.  For more Helly Hansen Warsash Spring Series sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.