Helly Hansen Warsash Series - Results begin to take shape on Day 3

by Louise Nicholls on 5 Apr 2016 2016 Helly Hansen Warsash Spring Series - Sunday’s racing (3 April 2016) again saw light to medium conditions, warmer than the previous Helly Hansen Warsash Spring Series race but overcast.

Black Group start was at East Knoll buoy, with winds of nine - thirteen knots South East backing almost East at times. Courses were mainly windward/leeward with courses set between start and Ryde Middle bank; becoming slightly skewed as the breeze backed further east than forecast.

Again this week normal Solent tactics appeared to pay – with foul tide beats sailing to the tides first and wind shifts second was the order of the day.

In IRC One Jitterbug (J111 – Cornel Riklin) saved her time on Lady Mariposa R (Kerr 46 - James Bolingbroke) and Nifty (Mark Mills King 40 – Frank Roger Bowden) to take first place for the second week running, leaving Jitterbug and Nifty leading the class overall.

Fast-Tack Puma (Reflex 38-Fast Tack Sailing Ltd) took first place in IRC Two with Sunrise (JPK1080-Tom Kneen) second and Playing Around (Beneteau First 40 – Nick Rawbone) third. These three boats now head the series results so far. According to Sunrise the only excitement all day was avoiding fishing boats!

Mike Moxley’s Malice (Hod35) finished first on the water and saved her time to win IRC Three from Stiletto (Beneteau First 35-John Barrett) and Bengal Magic (J35 – Knight Build Ltd). Malice built on a good start to lead the fleet around the course, and capitalised on the left wind shift on the last beat.

In IRC Four Stan the Boat (Sigma 33-Toby Gorman) and Quokka (Half Tonner – Peter Rutter and James Crew) led the fleet round the course to give Stan her second consecutive win with Prosperro of Hamble (Sigma 33 – Alan Fraser) second and the evergreen Erik the Red (Mustang 30 MkII - Bernard Fyans) third – Quokka dropped to fourth on handicap. Those who sailed the leg from Kilchoman to Roger Swinney by going off on port tack to sail up the Ryde Middle bank gained significantly against the foul tide.

Just So (David McGough) is now leading the J/109 class after posting her second consecutive win, Jynnan Tonnyx (Owain Franks) was second with Jybe Talkin’ (Christopher Burleigh) third.

The White Group start was near William buoy, there was one general recall when the mid line bunching prevented individual boats being identified, but the restart took place cleanly without resorting to the black flag.

Betty (J80 - Jon Powell) is leading the Combined White Group overall with Patrick Liardet, (Cosmic - J/70) second and Injunction (J70 Steve Venables) third.

Betty posted three firsts yesterday to firmly put herself at the top of the J80 series table with Jumblesail (Rachel and Robert Hunt) second overall and Aqua-j (Terence O’Neill) third.

Injunction (J70 Steve Venables) posted three first in the J70 class with Cosmic (J70 - Patrick Liardet) recording three seconds. Jalapeno (Brian Denney) recorded two thirds and Offbeat (David Mcleman) gained a third in the third race of the day. This puts Cosmic and Injunction leading the J70 series with Jenga8 (Andrew Barraclough) lying third.

There were four SB20s racing this weekend and Flutter (Aron Wellband) continued her winning ways with two firsts and a second. She leads overall from Blacksone Racing (James Russel) and Trouble and Strife (George Barker).

There was a good crowd back in the Warsash Sailing Club clubhouse with champagne courtesy of Rolly Tasker for each class.

The free draw for a Crewsaver lifejacket was won by Jumblesail (Rachel and Robert Hunt) and the draw for a Helly Hensen jacket was won by Dark and Stormy (Andrew Bell).

Champagne and prizes were presented by WSC Commodore Nigel Russel.

Over 500 sailors were out on the water competing in both Black and White Groups.