Line honours for J/105 in RSYC Solent-Santander

by Kirsty Apthorp on 7 Jul 2007 The first RSYC Solent-Santander race was in 2003 and is run on a biennial basis in collaboration with the Real Club Maritimo de Santander. The course from the Solent covers more than 500 miles, passing outside Ushant and across the Bay of Biscay to Santander in northern Spain.

The 2007 race was started by Royal Southampton Yacht Club member and round the world yachtswoman Dee Caffari on Saturday 30 June in the mid-Solent. Ten boats of all types and sizes were on the start line. Of the boats who started six have retired into ports both sides of the English Channel after succumbing to fierce weather soon after the start.

Taking line honours just before 2000 on Tuesday was the J/105 Only Just. Owner Andy Hill and 2-handed partner Matthew Lathoud were delighted to be in the Real Club Maritimo after what had been a tough voyage. Second boat home, the Swan 40, Bastet, crewed by Paul Rowlinson and Nicholas Metcalfe arrived in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The remaining boats on the course were not expected until Thursday.

At the finish line, Andy Hill said, 'I can only describe it as a Solent chop but with much bigger waves (14ft). We are exhausted, it was darned hard work. We were lucky to have a boat that performed brilliantly in those conditions. The J/105 is a fantastic sea boat! Would we do it again? Both Matt and I are agreed. Absolutely! For sure!'

After the finish, Race sponsor offshore yachtsman Paul Metcalf, of the Cowes yachtbuilding firm Sail Ventures will be in Santander to greet the competitors and to participate in what will be a great celebration and typical of the camaraderie of short handed racing.