Day 1 Raymarine Warsash Spring Series

by Pauline McCracken on 21 Mar 2008 What a fantastic start to the 2008 season! The forecast of bitter northerly winds, 20 knots gusting 30 and rain was not enough to deter the 18 boats who ventured out for the first day of the Raymarine Warsash Spring Series. With such
a glam forecast (cold winds and rain aside) it was going to be an interesting day to blow away the winter cobwebs.

This year Warsash Sailing Club have given the SB3's their own start line and race course and what a difference this is going to make. No more sitting around waiting for the rest of the white fleet classes to head off after our inevitable
general recalls!

True to form the fleet got a little overenthusiastic on the start line of the first race and with at least half the fleet over the line a general recall was announced. After a second clean start the fleet were off and Craig Burlton and the rest of Team Touareg were soon disappearing over the horizon from the rest of the fleet with Pieter Heyn's Go Hard Or Go Home; Chilli Chaser and Millgate Homes leading the rest of the fleet into the finish line. With a rising breeze there was a lot of carnage down wind as teams new and old found their feet again after the winter break.

The breeze was definitely up at the start of Race 2 and with gusts in excess of 30 knots it was always going to be a bit fruity at the windward bouy which had been relaid to the north in 'gust alley' by the wind turbine on shore. Team
Touareg delivered the second bullet of the day and were again followed by Chilli Chaser and Millgate Homes showing a very consistent form this early in the season. With the results showing only 12 finishers there were clearly a number
of early season casualties and gear failures with blown out kites and lots of broaching 'recovery drills' in evidence.

After such a great day on the water, we now have a weeks break due to Easter and we will be looking forward to the same breeze, but maybe just a bit warmer in two weeks time!