Three years after buying his first boat, the J92 "Jambalaya", Andy Bird got his first taste of success winning the IRC1 class in the Royal Southampton Yacht Club Solent Spring Double.

This was the first in the eight race short-handed series which goes from strength to strength every year. 70 boats assembled for a committee boat start at Hill Head on Saturday April 20th. The breeze dwindled but after an hour's postponement the boats were off on a two and a half mile beat to Gurnard against the tide and in light airs. It was here Andy decided to bite the bullet by opting to head for the Island shore, risking even less wind off Cowes, whilst most others tacked in the shelter of the Brambles to avoid the tide. Whilst some spent time aground on the bank, "Jambalaya" managed to short tack past Cowes Green and take the lead on handicap. Andy and Duncan now look forward to the Weymouth Double on May 3rd - particularly since they've never yet raced at night!

Provisional Results: IRC1 Jambalaya (Andy Bird/Duncan Courtney, IRC2 Hobby Horse (Michael Fawcett/Jason Foster), RSYC Handicap Zumbido (Michael Hibberd/Anne Howard), Multihull Kokomo (James Stewart/Keith Taylor).