RSYC Spring Series Race 4

A mist made the shores of Southampton Water hazy as competitors gathered at the start line for the fourth race in the RSYC Spring Series. The mid week windy forecasts were again proven to be spurious with 8 to 10 knot SE breezes coming through for the starts. The funnelling effects of Southampton Water were kind to the racers, who at least got some racing in, unlike a number of clubs in the Solent who had to abandon racing for the second week running. The race committee did their best to second guess the projected wind shift in setting the courses. Unfortunately life isn’t so easy and the wind holes and 90° wind shifts as the boats closed in on the Hythe shores called for clever tactics. All the competitors made it to the finish line this week after an enjoyable 2 hours racing.

The multihull start was quite tight with ‘Team Eberspacher’ being boxed into the committee boat and having to duck down behind the others and not making his usual clockwork start. Simon Forbes on ‘Scooby III’ came across the line on port from the ODM and managed to hold his line to get clear air. Ben soon took the lead again but unfortunately sailed the wrong course. ‘Marmalade’ followed Ben and both retired after the finish. ‘Scooby III’ took line honours a minute ahead of Tim Wilson on his Dragonfly 920 ‘Cold Fusion’, but Tim got the win for the second time in the series, which gave him the series win. ‘Team Eberspacher’ finished second in the series with Simon Forbes’ ‘Scooby III’ third.