Despite a storny weather forecast which predicted torrential rain and force seven winds, around 22 dinghies turned out for the first race of the Solent Dinghy Circuit staged by Lymington Town Sailing Club.

As the fleets got away in a gusty Force 5, the pace was set by a group of four Wayfarers from Parkstone Yacht Club who left most local boats watching their transoms disappear. Only Tim and Midori Knight in Snowy the Rabbit managed to keep ahead of them but were beaten into second on handicap by visitor Colin May.

The visitors took the remaining top five places. In the fast handicap fleet, Toby Collyer's International 14 built up a commanding lead, but Richard Russell and Tig Williams came storming in second - and second on handicap by only 19 seconds.

As the predicted force seven began to kick in, the race officer shortened all courses and the fleet ran for home.