Hamble Winter Series 2024 Race Week 6, sponsored by Key Yachting
by Trevor Pountain 20 Nov 19:20 UTC
9-10 November 2024
Robert Hillman's Exuberant was the Committee Vessel for Race Week 6 of the Hamble Winter Series, sponsored by Key Yachting. Indeed, exuberant was how everyone was feeling, with the prospect of two races for the second week running. You could feel the energy as the Race Team and competitors headed for 4S, Royal Southern buoy.
The Forecast was for 8-12 knots WNW - W and that is pretty much what happened. PRO Peter Bateson and his trusted side kick, Kathryn Clark, decided on one very short windward/leeward race to get the crews warmed up - and to put another race score in the bag - followed by a "proper" round the cans race to finish off. The W/L was just over 3 miles for classes IRC1 &IRC 2; and just under 3 miles for IRC Class 3.
The eagle eyed amongst you will have spotted the IRC 1 class being mentioned for the first time since the Hamble IRC Autumn Championship. And, just like London buses, two IRC 1 boats came along at the same time!
Ross Bowdler brought his Open 7.50, Cool Runnings, out and he was joined by the Far East 2 of Timon Robson, Sea Dragon. The two of them scampered around the course with Cool Runnings winning by 2 minutes 46 seconds on the water and by 1 minute 23 seconds corrected.
The combined start for classes IRC 1 and IRC 2 saw the first general recall of the series, with around a third of the 20 boats over the line. With a Z-flag preparatory signal, they got away fairly cleanly at the second attempt, apart from White Majic whose one length head start gave her an OCS score when she didn't return.
Further West, the J99 of Alain Waha, led the finishers home in IRC 2. Mojo Risin, J109, Rob Cotterill was the second over the line but had to give way on corrected time to With Alacrity, Sigma 38, Chris and Vanessa Choules.
In IRC3, Banter, with its helm back in good health, had Jeremy Robinson onboard calling the shifts, which allowed them to get to the first mark first in the first race. Try as they may, they couldn't hold off Team Hamble in Protis, who won by 44 seconds. Theseus, Quarter ton, Jim Prower was third.
In the second race, Cool Runnings did for Sea Dragon again, but by a larger margin. Ross Bowdler, remarked in the bar later, that when the big asymmetric was up, the foot of the sail skimmed the waves, and they couldn't see where they were going. You have been warned.
With Alacrity improved on their first race second, to win Race 2 by 41 seconds from JAGO, J109, Mike and Susie Yates. Further West came in just six seconds corrected behind JAGO having pipped them on the water.
The General Recall disease affected IRC 3 at the second start. The Z-flag held them back, just, as the class made a cracking start at the second attempt, with many of the boats within half a length behind the line at the gun.
Banter once again chased Protis around the Solent, but to no avail. The very consistent Dark Horse, Mustang 30, Rob Macgregor, took the third podium place.
Back in HRSC Clubhouse Key Yachting presented the prizes. Ian Handley summed up the day. "Overall, a fantastic day's racing in 11 - 17 knots and a bit of sun. Our second prize, a bottle of Salcombe Gin, felt like a win and will be much appreciated by Charles's Mum when we get home." Nothing wrong with getting some brownie points in!
Next week the sponsor will be Greene King.
Find out more at www.hamblewinterseries.com