Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Brilliant Winter Sailing @ Hamble Winter Series

J/112E Davanti Tyres winning Hamble Winter series (Hamble, England)- Competitors for the fifth weekend of the Hamble Winter Series enjoyed a fantastic day of racing with the Hamble River Sailing Club, supported by OneSails. Winter racing doesn't get much better, there may have been a chill in the air, but the sea temperature in the Solent in November is as good as June. Bright sunshine, 15-20 knots of wind over tide, and the whole Solent to choose from, a wide variety of teams and boats reveled in the superb conditions. Principal Race Officer, Stuart Childerley and his team delivered a superb course with one long race for all classes.

In IRC One, Chaz Ivill's J/112E DAVANTI TYRES scored their fourth bullet of the series, and was the fastest boat around the track in any class after IRC time correction. They are now leading their class by a considerable margin.

"This is the first year with the new boat, and as always it takes time to tune up and figure out the best set up,” commented Chaz Ivill. "We have been sailing the boat much flatter in a good breeze, and that has powered her up, especially upwind."

J/88 sailing Hamble winter seriesIn the J/88 Class, Avia Willment is having an outstanding debut season, scoring a fifth bullet for the series, but only just. J/88 National Champion, Paul Ward's EAT SLEEP J REPEAT was just 17 seconds behind. Gavin Howe's TIGRIS was third.  Consequently, Willment’s crew is leading by a hefty margin of 9 pts over fellow 88 teams.  Second is Howe’s TIGRIS with 16 pts net, followed by Richard Cooper’s JONGLEUR with 20 pts in third place.

In IRC Two, Simon Perry's J/109 JIRAFFE pulled off the best start of the day to take second place and is currently sitting in third place overall for the series.

In IRC Three, David Greenhalgh's J/92 J’RONIMO was third, by just 11 seconds after IRC time correction. Nevertheless, still leading the series id Annie & Andy Howe’s J/97 BLACKJACK II with just 13 pts net after seven races sailed.  Second is Robin Stevenson’s J/92S UPSTART with 19 pts net.

Racing at the Hamble Winter Series continues with weekend #six on Sunday 12th November.  Sailing photo credits- Hamo Thornycroft.  For more Hamble Winter Series sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.