Garmin Hamble Winter Series – Day 6

by Barnaby Smith on 20 Nov 2008
After a break for the traditional Charity Pursuit race on 9 November and the necessary abandonment of week 5 racing on 16 November as 30 knot winds swept the Solent, all competitors were glad to get back on the water for day 6 of the Garmin Hamble Winter series last weekend.

Light to moderate conditions allowed the Hamble River SC race team to run an excellent days racing for both the Black and White fleets. Yachts and Yachting was the day sponsor.

Black fleet competitors completed two races within the Hillhead plateau area competing on short windward leeward courses which put a premium on wind-shift spotting and boat handling.

In all the IRC fleets one boat was able to jump clear on handicap in both races. ‘Panacea‘ (John Patterson) fulfilled this role in IRC0 pushing series leader 'Batfish III' (Bill Blain) into second in each race.

In the other IRC fleets 'Quokka' (Peter Rutter) came out on top in IRC1, 'Flexer' (X Yachts GB Ltd) in IRC2, ‘Festina Lente’ (Meakins family) in IRC3, and ‘Whippa Snappa’ (Richard Puddifoot) in IRC4. ‘Flexer’, ‘Festina Lente’ and ‘Whippa Snappa’ now have commanding series leads in their respective fleets.

Over on the White fleet course area each class completed the scheduled three races. 'Badger' (Paul Lovejoy) and ‘Selden Masts’ (Chris Jennings) are now tied at the top of the Laser SB3 overall points series even though day 6 racing was dominated by ‘Sponge Bob’ (Marshall King), who won races 1 and 3, and ‘TBC’ (Mark Rushall) who recorded the days best overall score with a win and two seconds. 'Betty' (Jon Powell) continues to dominate the Hunter 707 class and 'Joystick' (Vic Gregory and Rob Larke) consolidated their overall lead in the J80s with two wins.

Garmin Hamble Winter Series - Day 6 Results:

White Fleet - Laser SB3 (43 entries)
Races 1 & 3 Sponge Bob (Marshall King)
Race 2 TBC (Mark Rushall)

White Fleet - J/80 (17 entries)
Races 1, 2 and 3 Joystick (Vic Gregory and Rob Larke)

White Fleet - Hunter 707 (8 entries)
Races 1, 2 and 3 Betty (Jon Powell)

Black Fleet - IRC 0 (10 entries)
Races 1 and 2 Panacea (John Patterson)

Black Fleet - IRC 1 (26 entries)
Races 1 & 2 Quokka (Peter Rutter)

Black Fleet - IRC 2 (20 entries)
Races 1 and 2 Flexer (X Yachts GB Ltd)

Black Fleet - IRC 3 (22 entries)
Races 1 & 2 Festina Lente (Meakins Family)

Black Fleet - IRC 4 (16 entries)
Races 1 & 2 Whippa Snappa (Richard Puddifoot)

Black Fleet - J/105 (9 entries)
Races 1 and 2 Java (Rob Dornton-Duff)

Black Fleet - J/109 (21 entries)
Race 1 J Dream (David & Kirsty Athorp)
Race 2 Johnny Blue II (Jubb, Flood and Dakin)

The Garmin Hamble Winter Series runs from 5 October to 30 November. Full details and results of the 2008 Garmin Hamble Winter Series, Hamble Big Boat Series and Autumn Championships are available at www.garminhamblewinterseries.co.uk