Second round of the FAST40+ Racing Circuit proves to be real thriller

by Fast40+ Race Circuit on 27 Jun 2016 With every race decided by just a few seconds, and eight out of eleven teams making the podium. The Second Round of the FAST40+ Racing Circuit was a real thriller.

Eleven teams from the FAST40+ Class competed in Round Two of the FAST40+ Racing Circuit, as part of the RORC IRC National Championship, with eight highly contested races over three days in the Solent. With its double tides, sand banks, channels and numerous land effects, the Solent is a complex place to sail. The highly changeable weather scenario including thunder and lightening added another dimension to the regatta. However, in the light weight FAST40+ Class, speed is always king.

Peter Morton's Carkeek 40 Mk3 Girls on Film stayed fast and smart to come out on top for the second time this season. Sir Keith Mills' Ker 40+ INVICTUS made the podium in six races, winning two of them to claim second place and Bill Coates’ OTRA VEZ was third.

Girls on Film have a very good crew and that showed at this regatta.” commented Peter Morton. “To come out on top in this fleet you have to sail really well as a team. Overall in the conditions our sailing mode contributed to our performance. Racing these sorts of boats upwind in tide there is a lot of leeway and or low and fast mode worked well for us generally on the beat. Fantastic racing and really looking forward to more of it this season.”

For the Five Round FAST40+ Race Circuit, there is no change for the top two; Peter Morton's Girls on Film retains the lead from Bill Coates' Otra Vez. INVICTUS has moved up to third place after an improved performance in Round Two and is now ahead of Mike Bartholomew's Tokoloshe II. After a strong showing at the IRC Nationals, Tony Dickin's Jubilee and Steve Cowie's Zephyr, both move up two places on the circuit leaderboard to fifth and sixth respectively. Anthony O'Leary's Ker40 Antix was the biggest climber on the FAST40+ Circuit moving up from 11th to sixth after winning the last race of Round Two.

Round Three of the FAST40+ Race Circuit will take place during Cowes Week 6-12th August. However most of the fleet will be in action for the Round the Island Race next weekend.