Lymington XOD Wednesday Series Week 3
by John Ollif-Cooper 18 May 11:57 PDT
15 May 2024
Setting Wednesday's XOD course proved to be quite tricky business for the race team. As usual, the light southerly(ish) breeze was consistently inconsistent in direction.
In the circumstances their choice of buoy 4 under the Island shore proved to be quite a test of wind shift sailing. At the mark X161 Mayfly led, closely followed by X117 X Ray, X87 Excalibur, and X33 Clare de Lune.
There followed a square run north to Tanners buoy during which X Ray showed her downwind edge to pass Mayfly and into a useful lead, and Clare de Lune, being expertly helmed by John Morrow, did well to pass Excalibur after a short luffing duel close to the mark.
The beat out to Jacksons buoy was a single tack on port, leaving little opportunity to pass, and despite a half-hearted attempt by Clare de Lune climb onto Mayfly's wind, the run to the river finish was processional.
This was a very fine pro performance by James Markby in X117 X Ray.
Race 3 Results:
1. X117 X Ray, James Markby
2. X161 Mayfly, Rory Paton
3. X33 Clare de Lune, John Morrow
4. X87 Excalibur, John Olliff-Cooper
Full Lymington XOD series results can be found at rlymyc.org.uk/afloat/results/XOD-results