Monday, April 18, 2016

Warsash Spring Series III Report

J/111 England (Warsash, England)- Sunday's racing saw light to medium conditions, warmer than the previous Helly Hansen Warsash Spring Series race, but overcast.

Black Group start was at East Knoll buoy, with winds of 9-13 knots South East backing almost East at times. Courses were mainly windward/leeward with courses set between start and Ryde Middle bank; becoming slightly skewed as the breeze backed further east than forecast.

Again, this week normal Solent tactics appeared to pay - with foul tide beats sailing to the tides first and wind shifts second was the order of the day.

In IRC 1 class, the J/111 JITTERBUG (Cornel Riklin) saved her time on the fleet to take first place for the third week running, leaving JITTERBUG leading the class overall by an enormous 10 pt margin.

The J/88s are moving up the ladder in IRC 2 class.  Paul Ward’s EAT SLEEP J REPEAT won race four and now sits in third overall.  Similarly, Richard Cooper’s JONGLEUR sailed fast to take 3rd in the same race to move into 6th overall.

In IRC 3 class, the J/35 BENGAL MAGIC (Knight Build Ltd) took third place in race three.  In race four, David Greenhalgh’s J/92 J’RONIMO took 2nd and sits in second overall and Andy Howe’s J/97 BLACKJACK II took 5th and sits in third place.

JUST SO (David McGough) is now leading the J/109 class after posting her third consecutive win, JYNNAN TONNYX (Owain Franks) was second again with Simon Perry’s JIRAFFE in third overall.

J/109 sailing Warsash seriesThe White Group start was near William buoy; there was one general recall when the midline bunching prevented individual boats being identified, but the restart took place cleanly without resorting to the black flag.

For the J/80 class series, BETTY posted three 1sts yesterday to firmly put herself at the top of the table with JUMBLESAIL (Rachel and Robert Hunt) second overall and AQUA—J (Terence O'Neill) third.

The J/70 class saw INJUNCTION (Steve Venables) post three 1sts with COSMIC (Patrick Liardet) recording three 2nds.  JALAPENO (Brian Denney) recorded two 3rds and OFFBEAT (David Mcleman) gained a third in the third race of the day. This puts COSMIC and INJUNCTION leading the J/70 series with JENGA 8 (Andrew Barraclough) lying third.

There was a good crowd back in the Warsash Sailing Club clubhouse with champagne courtesy of Rolly Tasker for each class.

The free draw for a Crewsaver lifejacket was won by Jumblesail (Rachel and Robert Hunt) and the draw for a Helly Hansen jacket was won by Dark and Stormy (Andrew Bell).  Champagne and prizes were presented by WSC Commodore Nigel Russel.  For more Helly Hansen Warsash Spring Series sailing information