Combined Clubs Summer Pennant Series - Preview
by Jane Austin 26 Feb 2021 22:21 PST
Young Magic on the River Derwent in the Combined Clubs Summer Pennant Series © Jane Austin
Young Magic will be hoping to pull a rabbit out of a hat to secure a victory over Midnight Rambler (Ed Psaltis) in today's Harbour Race Series. The five race inshore series, sailed as part of the ten race Combined Clubs Summer Pennant Series, does not include a discard, which gives the experienced Young Magic crew an opportunity to pull back a few places with a good race this week.
The 36-footer, sailed by Michelle and Paul Boutchard from the Derwent Sailing Squadron, is only 3 points behind leader Midnight Rambler on IRC handicap, and is 10 points clear of Gavin Adamson's Mumm 36, Madness (18 points) on performance handicap. "We've only had Young Magic for 8 months and are really pleased and somewhat surprised with our results so far, and with our new Quantum headsail, we might be a bit closer to Ed [Psaltis] in the right conditions," said Paul Boutchard.
Light and variable conditions are forecast for racing which will favour some of the lighter boats, but while the breeze may be soft, competition is tight across the rest of the fleet. On IRC in Division Two, Frontline (Ian Snape) is four points ahead of Natelle Two (Glenn Roper) and Wings Three (nine points apiece) while Pirate's Pride (Peter Masterton) and Frontline are equal on 12 points on performance handicap.
In Division 3, Young Lion (Steve Chau), Footloose (Stewart Geeves) and Invincible (Bryan Walpole) are sitting in first, second and third on IRC and AMS, while Serica (Charles Peacock) leads on performance in Division 4.