Lymington XOD Autumn Series Race 4
by Nik Froud 13 Oct 2023 04:50 NZDT
11 October 2023
A fun day out in 17-20 knots of westerly which a few years ago may have been cancelled. A big ebb tide beat to L, then a reach to 1, run to F, beat to B, run to D and fetch to Z to finish.
The start tide coincided with a tidal stand, given competitors more to think about when choosing where to start, knowing that the tide wouldn't be quite so drastic as it normally is in the Western Solent. Even so, usual front runners all chose the same end, with X161, X117 and X119 looking the healthiest immediately after the start.
Perhaps overestimating the tide, X117 tacked early for L, allowing Mayfly and her typically pinpoint lay-line calls to maximise the tidal benefit and lead around the first Mark. On the reach to 1, Mayday set off on a deep reach to cover off any inside passing lane and maintained her advantage. However, a slightly delayed gybe at Black Rock allowed X-Ray the opportunity to gybe onto the inside line, which they seized. Behind, the fleet condensed on the run from 1 to F, with Lone Star in third making gains on X-Ray and Mayfly, until a train of three boats (Mersa, Tortoise and Clare De Lune) inadvertently covered her, sucking her back up into the pack and away from the now escaped leading two boats.
The subsequent beat to B saw little change. X117 were professional in their covering of X161 in maintaining their lead, whilst further back X33 managed to overtake X165 and close the gap on X34. The final run to the D saw no place changes - X176 had sailed well and managed to join the back of the second group of boats on the water, as had X57 who recovered well from an earlier setback.
In the end, X-Ray took the win from X161, with X119 in third, X33 in 4th and X34 in 5th. A brilliant course set by Race officer Mike Cowan in exciting conditions ensured a thoroughly enjoyable race was had by all sailors.
1st X117 X Ray James Markby David Bedford and Ben Paton
2nd X161 Rory Paton Chris Baldwick and Roger Morris
3rd X119 Lone Star Paul Woodman Oliver James and Phil Lawrence
4th X 33 Claire de Lune Nik Froud Mike Crowe and Chris Sanders
5th X34 Mersa Eric Williams George Smith and Oliver Dowson Mcgill