49er FX Sprint Series at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy
by Rachael Jenkins 4 May 22:26 PDT
49er FX Sprint Series at the WPNSA © Optical Marine / Noah Fitzgerald
Portland Harbour played host to a weekend of fast-paced, close-quarters racing as a fleet of eight boats hit the water for the latest instalment of the 49er FX Sprint Series.
Across two action-packed days, sailors completed 15 races in changeable conditions, with an early start on Saturday proving to be the right choice, allowing the sailors to take advantage of the 10 knot breeze which slowly slipped away over the course of the morning and champagne 15-20 knot, full sunshine conditions on Sunday.
This sprint format forms part of the recently reformed class association’s programme, designed to develop a competitive and sustainable UK domestic race scene. And it delivered on every front. With each race averaging just 12 minutes the format delivered: 15 starts and 30 windward mark roundings, not to mention countless rapid-fire hoists and kite drops providing sailors with endless opportunities to sharpen tactics, refine boat handling, and test training gains in a highly dynamic, race-focused environment.
Beyond the racing, the Sprint Series is about connection, bringing together a diverse range of sailors. This weekend saw our 2024 Olympic gold medallist racing alongside current members of the British Sailing Team and transition squad as well as rising talents transitioning from the 29er fleet into the FX. Many sailors used the weekend to race with different partners, gaining vital experience in adaptability, and skill-sharing in the process.
A huge thank you goes to Shock Sailing for their generous support in providing a RIB, fuel, and race marks, making high-quality and fun racing like this possible.
Domestic race opportunities continue next weekend as the fleet joins the WPNSA Skiff Open, followed by more opportunities for 49er FX Sprint Racing on 7/8th June. If you’re looking to push your racing skills in a high-performance fleet—come and join us!