Hamble Winter Series 2025 Race Week 2, sponsored by Force 4 Chandlery
by Trevor Pountain 15 Oct 08:01 PDT
11-12 October 2025
For the second week running, wind was the major discussion point as the weekend approached. This time, however, it was an apparent lack of puff, particularly on the Saturday.
Not one to be put off by less than favourable forecasts, Peter Bateson, PRO, messaged the fleet by WhatsApp on Friday, to give them his thoughts. His message finished with "We are certainly going to go out and try!" Oh, the power of positive thinking. Peter and his Race Team completed the whole five race programme for the Hamble IRC Autumn Championship, including three races on puffless Saturday.
To add to the fun there were mean spring tides in the Solent, which have a big influence in light airs. In an attempt to mitigate this, Peter and his No 2 Kathryn Clark, took the CV Baldur, inshore of the North channel to start near 4Q (John Fisher). Even so, the effect of the tide was significant. With the breeze from the NE, the windward mark at 0.7 miles from the CV, ended up near to the shore which made things very shifty.
A simple windward/leeward, with a spreader giving a short hitch up tide to improve the runs, was the plan for the first two races. Race 1 had two laps and Race 2 had three. Finally, a round-the-cans of 6 to 7 miles for the different classes was set for Race 3, but this had to be shortened to 2.7 miles as the breeze veered and dropped. Notwithstanding this, Peter Bateson was "delighted to have got three races in" and so were the 38 teams out on the racecourse.
In IRC 3, Protis, Quarter ton, Team Hamble, had things all their own way with three bullets. Quokka 9, Half ton, James Crew scored three second places with Liquidity Risk 11, Corby 25, Georgie Bruce Brown, just ahead of Cartoon, Quarter ton, Gavin Doyle in third.
Jambo, J92s, Simon Shillaker, was leading IRC 2 with ten points, closely followed by the J109s, Jukebox and Jeanie, of John Smart and Rosie Berry, respectively, with 12 points.
In IRC 1, Mako, Far East 28R, Ian and Imogen Watkins, was another yacht gathering three bullets. Minnie the Minx, First 40, Richard Catchpole was lying second. Thinking Space, J112e, Hary Tilling, was tied on points with Mzungu, JPK 1080, Tony White. Thinking Space was not helped by starting with IRC 2 in the first race!
Sunday brought Less tide and a better breeze, mostly around 8 knots, again from the NE. The CV set up at 48 (Paul Heys) with windward marks at up to 1.2 miles, again close to shore and quite shifty. Only one windward/leeward was required on Sunday, followed by a decent round-the-cans race of between 7 and 8 half miles for the different classes. Once again, the Race Team, and the competitors managed to get both races in and "the sun came out!" boasted the PRO.
In IRC 3, Banter, Mustang 30, Ian Handley and Tim James, came out to play, having missed Saturday due to commitments at home. They found a who's who of Solent racers waiting for them in Protis (Quarter ton National Champs,) Whooper (Black Group overall, Cowes Week) and Stan the Boat (Class winner, Cowes Week and JOG). Despite this they posted 2-1, assisted by Protis being OCS in the second race. This didn't stop Protis taking the IRC Autmn Championship in Class 3, followed by Quokka, with Cartoon improving to third overall. Gavin Doyle is finding Cartoon difficult to sail at the moment, but it is coming out to be painted green, instead of black, which should make all the difference.
IRC 2 was equally packed with Solent experts. Juke Box banged in a couple of firsts to take the class. Elaine Again, JPK 1010, Ed Mockridge, discarded a big 8 from Saturday and sneaked into second place ahead of Jeanie.
In IRC 1, Mako continued to hog first place, beating Minnie the Minx into second. Thinking space came third having managed to stay in the correct class all day!
Back at HRSC, Tom, the Manager from Force 4 at Port Hamble, was there to present the prizes. There were some very impressive waterproof bags given out as well as vouchers to use in the store. Tom is always smiling at these events because he knows he will see you all again soon!
Next week the sponsor is One Sails UK.
Full results at www.hamblewinterseries.com