Summer Series Regatta - Champagne sailing to remember

by Phil Riley on 15 Jul 2013 Despite some pre-event misgivings over the possible absence of wind this past weekend (13-14 July), and a one-hour postponement on each day, the sea breeze duly arrived to play its part and help make the Royal Southern Yacht Club's July Summer Regatta one to remember.

PRO Stuart Childerley was very impressive on both days winning universal acclaim for making some smart decisions in potentially awkward conditions.

There was some typically fine sailing across the three IRC classes taking part, though the standout performance was provided by Induljence which took four wins to claim an emphatic victory in IRC3.

'Conditions were just perfect, with blistering sunshine and 12 knots - you can't really argue with that can you,' stated Adam Munday, who sails the J97 with father Nick.

The 20-year-old student added: 'Everything was set up really nicely, and we've got some new sails from North which we were really happy with, so we got the boat sailing really fast. We did put a small rip in the new jib, which we were a bit gutted about. It was outside the pushpit and trimmed on - it had only been used three times, so we had a few cross words about that but apart from that every hoist and drop was perfect.

'We've had the boat since 2011 and it's been quite hard work, we've had some tough regattas to get to where we are. The crew work is spot on now and the boat speed is good most of the time - it's nice to be out at the front.'

Behind Induljence there was the tightest possible tussle between John Allen's X302 Antix and Andy Howe's J92S Blackjack. Both boats finished on 12 points, each with two seconds and two fourths - the matter settled in Antix's favour by her second in the final race.

Adam Munday paid tribute to the IRC3 runner-up: 'It was difficult with Antix since we have to give them a lot of time, so we're sitting there after the races which was quite nerve-racking. But through the race you just think every little thing counts and you've just got to be on the money all the time to beat them. It's a very well sailed boat.'

There was also close competition at the front of a competitive IRC1 fleet, with Adam Gosling's Corby 36 Yes! having to fend off the persistent challenge from the Mills 40 Tokoloshe, skippered by Dave Bartholomew.

Cowes-based Yes!, with Olympic coach David 'Sid' Howlett calling tactics including one port tack start, took three successive wins before giving best to Tokoloshe in the final race.

'It was great sailing and the breeze was pretty steady once it filled in - we just struggled to extend enough on everyone,' said skipper Dave. 'We got away and didn't make too many mistakes but Yes! was sailing very well and making it all a bit difficult.'

Ian Dewhurst's J133 Jump took the last step on the podium.

Victory in IRC2 narrowly went to the J109 Jigsaw, chartered and sailed by a group of friends who first met during a campaign building up to the 1999 Fastnet Race and includes RYA Chairman Stacey Clark and the former co-owner of the mighty TP52 Cutting Edge, Robert Lutener.

'We've had a great time - the weather has been great and so has the organisation, so we had a really enjoyable time,' said Stacey. 'We all met through sailing and have become firm friends. It's basically a group of mates going sailing together.'

Jigsaw took two bullets on her way to the class win, with a fourth in race three the main setback. 'The wind was a lot lighter and we just weren't as competitive as some of the lighter boats,' said Stacey. 'And going over the startline early didn't help,' added Robert.

A consistent performance saw Robbie and Lis Robinson's Beneteau First 35 Hot Rats finish level on points, with a win in second race, only to give best to Jigsaw on countback. Chris Jones' J105 Journey Maker 5 took third.

Overall Top three result

IRC1

1. Yes! (Corby 36)
2. Tokoloshe (Mills 40)
3. Jump (J133)

IRC 2

1. Jigsaw (J109)
2. Hot Rats (Beneteau First 35)
3. Journey Maker 5 (J105)

IRC3

1. Induljence (J97)
2. Antix (X302)
3. Blackjack (J/92S)

Full results can be found here

http://www.royal-southern.co.uk" target="_blank">Royal Southern website