Chilly start for the brave

Raymarine Warsash Spring Series reports from the J/109s and Laser SB3s

J/109 Class - by the Class Association

The largest of three one-design class in Black fleet in the Raymarine Warsash Spring Series - the J/109s - took to the Solent on Sunday 16th March for the first race. On the way out to the start on Ryde Bank, a steady 20 knots was enjoyed by many who hoisted their spinnakers.

After practising with Jim Saltonstall many of the fleet were confident in their starting procedure, which perhaps encouraged others, and the start was subject to individual recall. A long beat to Hillhead, saw Joyride (Michael Jones) take advantage of the shift which occurred just after the start, to round in front of Zelda (Michael Ewart-Smith), Shiva (Matt Boyle) who had Adrian Stead (Farr 40 World Champion) as tactician,and Jahmali (Mike Wallis). The first run back to Norris was eventful with Red Arrow (RAFSA), Just So (David McGough) and Johnny Blue II (Jeff Dakin) demonstrating how it should be done. For Shiva a broach led to the spinnaker being ripped in the re-hoist and the final part of the run was by winging-the-goose.

At Norris most of the fleet dropped their spinnakers as it was a relatively tight reach to Daks, although Johnny Blue II and Jahmali managed to hold their spinnakers for the majority of the leg. Another beat and spinnaker run saw Zelda demonstrate excellent boathandling and speed to arrive at Peel Bank in first place, from where they never had to look back. The rest of the fleet was led by Beth (Guy Knight) who on the downwind leg was then overtaken by Johnny Blue II. The wind had built during the race and gusts of 32 knots had the J/109s enjoying some more downwind spins.

At the mark rounding, J-Dream (David & Kirsty Apthorp) had caught Beth and the battle ensued on the beat back to Universal Marina before a short run back to North Ryde Middle, where J-Dream finally got the upper hand. A final beat to RYAYachtmaster was long and cold but saw exciting racing as Shiva passed Beth and set off in pursuit of the leaders, whilst Jahmali had recovered from their first eventful downwind leg.

On returning to the marina, all J/109 sailors were smiling, even those who had suffered minor sail damage. It was a great days racing and a fantastic start to the year.

		Name	Elapsed Time
1	GBR8809R	Zelda	02:12:15
2	GBR8541R	Johnny Blue II	02:14:25
3	GBR7005R	J-Dream	02:15:48
4	GBR9627T	Shiva	02:18:46
5	GBR2L	Beth	02:20:16
6	GBR8901R	Jahmali	02:21:28
7	GBR8543R	Offbeat	02:22:42
8	GBR9821	Juno	02:23:20
9	GBR5109R	Designstar 2	02:23:08
10	GBR9109T	Red Arrow	02:24:56
11	GBR8537R	Jangada Too	02:28:23
12	GBR7909R	Batfish II	02:38:37

Laser SB3 - by Pauline McCracken, Black Pig

What a fantastic start to the 2008 season! The forecast of bitter northerly winds, 20 knots gusting 30 and rain was not enough to deter the 18 boats who ventured out for the first day of the Raymarine Warsash Spring Series. With such a glam forecast (cold winds and rain aside) it was going to be an interesting day to blow away the winter cobwebs.

This year Warsash Sailing Club have given the SB3's their own start line and race course and what a difference this is going to make. No more sitting around waiting for the rest of the white fleet classes to head off after our inevitable general recalls!

True to form the fleet got a little overenthusiastic on the start line of the first race and with at least half the fleet over the line a general recall was announced. After a second clean start the fleet were off and Craig Burlton and the rest of Team Touareg were soon disappearing over the horizon from the rest of the fleet with Pieter Heyn's Go Hard Or Go Home; Chilli Chaser and Millgate Homes leading the rest of the fleet into the finish line. With a rising breeze there was a lot of carnage down wind as teams new and old found their feet again after the winter break.

The breeze was definitely up at the start of Race 2 and with gusts in excess of 30 knots it was always going to be a bit fruity at the windward bouy which had been relaid to the north in "gust alley" by the wind turbine on shore. Team Touareg delivered the second bullet of the day and were again followed by Chilli Chaser and Millgate Homes showing a very consistent form this early in the season. With the results showing only 12 finishers there were clearly a number of early season casualties and gear failures with blown out kites and lots of broaching "recovery drills" in evidence.

After such a great day on the water, we now have a weeks break due to Easter and we will be looking forward to the same breeze, but maybe just a bit warmer in two weeks time!

	Boat	Number	Owner	R1	R2	Total
1	Team Touareg	GBR3200	Craig Burlton	1	1	2
2	Chilli Chaser	GBR3202	Ian Southworth and Nigel Smith	3	2	5
3	Millgate Homes	GBR3080	Nick Jackson	4	3	7
4	Impact Promotions	GBR3203	Steve Pears	5	6	11
5	Pambere	GBR3149	Mark / Nick Gillett / Jones	10	4	14
6	Black Pig	GBR3156	Pauline Mccracken	6	8	14
7	Bloo	GBR3368	Adrian Ward	12	5	17
8	Palava	GBR3053	Geoff Carveth	7	10	17
9	Excuse Me Gents	GBR3079	Ann Jackson	11	9	20
10	Striptease	IRL3075	Edward Dyer	14	7	21
11	The Rat Pack	GBR3162	Chris Russell, Ian Duke & Rob Muir	15	11	26
12	Mustigo II	GBR3367	Stephen Scholefield	17	12	29
13	Go Hard Or Go Home	GBR3047	Pieter Heyn	2	32	34
14	Rumbleflurg	GBR3032	David Cummins	8	32	40
15	Trouble & Strife	GBR3276	Ian & Clare Armstrong	9	32	41
16	Chaotic	GBR3234	Nick Phillips	13	32	45
17	Skallywag	GBR3077	Rob Day & James Ford	16	30	46