Southampton Water Sailing Association Evening Series

SWSA keelboat evening series © Chris Waddington

SWSA keelboat evening series © Chris Waddington

SWSA keelboat evening series © Chris Waddington

Seasoned hands secure SWSA success

With the evenings drawing in, Southampton Water Sailing Association’s 2011 keelboat evening series recently closed. This year saw a record entry with 25 boats from 8 local clubs enjoying close competition. Staged within Southampton Water the 10 race series is held at fortnightly intervals with starts around high water. Hence ensuring a large navigable race area to the east of the shipping channel and little current to hinder progress in the often light evening breezes.

Particularly well represented this year were Hythe sailing club with an 8 boat entry. Most Hythe boats were new to the series but performed exceptionally well with Simon Walley’s Beneteau 260 and Roger Lockett’s Ballad finishing 2nd and 3rd in class 1 respectively. Similarly in class 2, Brian Allen’s sunfast 20 lost out on first place by a wafer thin half point and Mike Thomas also of Hythe SC claimed 3rd.

Despite the good performances of Hythe’s newcomers the seasoned hands of the Glass Onion crew from the University of Southampton Staff Sailing Club hung on to win class 1 for the 2nd year running. A past winner of the round the island race this distinctive green hulled boat is a well known feature of the local keelboat racing scene. Again in class 2, Graham Harrison from Fawley power station repeated his success of 2010 to secure 1st place in his Trapper 500 Auriole.

A notable feature of this series has been the complete lack of protest hearings within its 4 year history. An indicator perhaps of the friendly spirt of the series and the enduring good sportsmanship and seamanship of its competitors.

Further details of SWSA’s racing events may be found at www.swsa.org.uk

Overall Results: