Warsash Spring Series IV Report

(Warsash, United Kingdom)- The Warsash Sailing Club’s traditional spring regatta series continues in full swing with racing taking place on the infamous Solent Water. 

For this past weekend, there was a feeling of déjà vu. The wind in the N (NNE actually) and a forecast of 10 knots. A bit like the previous week, but with a little more wind. It was much as forecast, but with ~15 knots for much of the time. So, back to Hill Head buoy with the options of Royal Southern, Darling Buoy, or a laid mark as the windward mark.

Race 1 was a windward/leeward using Royal South and Hill Head. The combined IRC 1 & 2 fleets had a good, close start and got away cleanly. As the last boats were finishing Race 1, the wind took a 20-degree swing to the right and seemed to have stabilized, so a mark was laid to give a good beat for Race 2. The course is a triangle/sausage with East Knowle as the leeward mark. However, as can be expected with the wind in the north it didn’t stay for long before swinging back. Royal Southern became the revised first mark.

The big news in IRC 2 Class was the first appearance of two hot J/109 teams. Mike Yates’ JAGO post a 3-1 to win the day! Then, winning on their first outing of the season, Rosie Berry’s JENIE closed their first day with an impressive 1-4 to take third for the day!

Having completed eight races, the first discard has appeared and the series battles are becoming clearer.

In IRC 2 Division, there are three J/Teams running neck-and-neck for the podium. Just two points off the lead, sitting in second place, is Chris Burleigh’s J/109 GYBE TALKIN. One point in arrears of them is Rob Cotterill’s J/109 MOJO RISIN. Then, closing steadily on the leaders is Kevin Taylor’s J/99 JUMP 2 IT. 

In IRC 3 Division, the Greenhalgh family’s J/92 J’RONIMO is third overall with mostly thirds and Ross Bowdler’s J/80 JUSTIFY is sitting in 5th place while counting a first-day DNC. No doubt, the JUSTIFY team is hoping for a few more good races to drop that 14-pointer and close the gap dramatically on the top three boats. 

The Warsash Spring Series fleet now takes a break for Easter, returning with the Spring Championships on the weekends of 15/16 and 22/23 April for IRC handicap and the J/70s. The remaining four Black Group Series races will take place on the Sundays following the Spring Championships.  Sailing photo credits- Peter Knight  For more Warsash Spring Series sailing information