The fifth race in the Wightlink sponsored Lymington Town Sailing Club Solent Circuit proved a tricky affair. Having abandoned racing last week because of lack of wind and the strong spring tide, race officers were keen to get something in with the eight knots of westerly breeze offered with a neap tide.
Race officer Mike Rayden set a long course with lots of short legs and tactical decision making neede. Crew work was also well rewarded as mark roundings had to be slick.
The light westerly breeze was just enough to carry the 36 entries beating against the flood tide to their first mark at Yacht Haven just off the Lymington River entrance. A short spinnaker run to Berthon, a fetch to Pylewell , a run to Jacksons a beat to Tanners gave everybody plenty to do. There were even a few float drop/gybes by crews who'd got the co-ordination right.
It's too early to see much of a pattern in the races as discards have not yet kicked in but in class one, Peter Scholfield's HOD35 Zarafa is pretty consistent despite only making fourth and leads Michael Ronson's HOD35 Carpetbagger-first this week- by six points.
Discards could change this dramatically as Carpetbagger has a 10 point penalty for not competing in race 2. HOD35s, eqch with a slightly different handicap filled the first three places.
The closest racing is usually in the Folkboat fleet but this week, Edward Donald's Madelaine finished several minutes ahead of his nearest rival to record his second win of the series and to lead by 12 points.
Results. Class 1. Carpetbagger (HOD35) Michael Ronson. 2, No Doubt (First 34.7) Chris Neve. 3, Symmetry (HOD35) Rory Fitzwilliams.
Class2 and 3. Brightwork (X332) Bob Baker. 2, Phillipedes (Swan 41) Richard Balding. 3, Jalicia (First 33.7).
Class 4. 1, Marge (Sonata) Edwin Nabney). 2, Wings of Pegasus (Sweden 390) Roger Garlick. 3, Windflower (Westmacott) Don Wood.
Folkboats. 1, Madelaine, Edward Donald. 2, Padfoot, Chris Hills. 3, Crackerjack, Stuart Watson.
Non Spinnaker 1. Channel Pilot (Moody346) Stephen Turner. 2, Fly Orchid (Moody333) Paul and Glenys Fox.
(Two finishers).
Sportsboats. 1, Red Kite, Roger Harford. (One finisher).
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