(Cowes, Isle of Wight, England)- Although light winds were predicted for
the race, the fleet experienced the remnants of a westerly sea breeze
for the Squadron Line start, lasting long enough for a twilight exit
from the Solent.Calms and complex local effects during the night, made observation and experience of light airs racing paramount. As night fell, the breeze dropped significantly, resulting in somewhat of a park-up off Portland Bill, giving an advantage to the higher rated IRC boats that had made the tidal gate. However, close to Midsummer the night was short, dawn broke before 0500hrs and the lower IRC rated yachts enjoyed longer daylight racing with enhanced breeze.
In what amounted to a wildly variable and complex race, it appeared that hitting corners was working best. However, while inshore boats that were way inshore faired better than those who were hedging their bets, it was the offshore boats that stood quite a ways offshore that ended up winning most divisions. In short, the pre-race strategy Plan 1, devolved to scenario option C or D for most boats. "C’est la vie, c’est la guerre".
The net results were as follows for some of the J/Teams that were participating in a quasi-drifting match. In IRC 1 Class, Nick Angel’s J/121 ROCK LOBSTER took 4th place. In IRC 2 Class Andy Theobald’s J/122 R&W was 4th and Gilles Fournier/ Corinne Migraine’s J/133 PINTIA 5th place (e.g. notable that one of the winningest teams offshore in RORC and French racing circles also had a tough race!). Finally, in IRC 3 Class, Chris Preston’s J/109 JUBILEE was 4th and Rob Cotterill’s J/109 MOJO RISIN’ placed 5th.
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