Henri-Lloyd Warsash Spring Championship Weekend 1
by James Crew 20 Apr 15:48 AEST
18-19 April 2026
Spring weather helped PROs Peter Bateson (IRC Black Group) and Katheryn Clarke (Sport Boats White Group) provide an outstanding weekend of racing enjoyed by over 50 boats.
The weather on Saturday delivered as forecast, with the Solent tide running strongly in the afternoon for races 3 and 4. The weather models did not look promising for Sunday, showing almost no wind. However, the wind had built above predictions with boats starting in 10kts with the breeze dropping to 5kts during the day. As those that sail regularly on the Hill Head Plateau will know, a northerly breeze can be very shifty and puffy with winds moving up to 70 degrees. Making it very tricky even for the most experienced of competitors!
IRC - Black Group
Three windward/leeward, 2-lap courses followed by around the cans to finish closer to the Southampton Water were set on Saturday, with a windward/leeward and Solent course for Sunday.
Each of the three classes had a wide range of yachts taking part.
Class 1's Checkmate XX Nigel Biggs' First 50 was very consistent on Saturday with a second and three bullets. Unfortunately, not sailing on Sunday has dropped them down the order. Tim Webb's Swan 45 Luna currently leads with Chris Jones' J111 Journeymaker 11, lying in second place.
J boats cover the top four places in IRC 2 with Jukebox, John Smart's J109 with a consistent scoreline, currently discarding a second. Steve Butters' JPX 1010 has travelled from Poole and is the highest non J boat in fifth.
Sam Laidlaw continued his winning ways from last year's success in Class 3 - albeit in another ¼ tonner named BLT - Aguila has discarded a first. Another ¼ tonner, Pacifist, owned by Duncan Peace in second with James Crew and Peter Rutter's half tonner, Quokka, in third place, discarding a tenth on Sunday due to an OCS. Aquila will be tough to catch!
Henri-Lloyd and Warsash Sailing Club are looking forward to the Performance 30 and 40 classes event in conjunction with IRC Black Group next weekend 25/26 April.
Sportsboats - White Group
The White Group this year consisted of a modest but very competitive group of SB20s. This group contended very well with the breeze blowing from Southampton Water at the top of the course and from the West closer to the leeward mark. After the first weekend just one point separates Mark Gillett's PB11 Twenty and Charles Whelan's Reservoir Bod.
Warsash Sailing Club and Henri-Lloyd welcome all competitors to the club next Saturday 25 April for a post-race social from 1600 to 1830.
The prize-giving will be held at the club after racing on Sunday 26th April and note that only those in attendance will be eligible for the very generous prizes from Henri-Lloyd!