RCSL Sailing Regatta: 12 – 16 September 2011 John Evans writes(evansajohn@yahoo.co.uk):-
This year the Annual Sailing Regatta was hosted by the Royal Southern YC at Hamble on the Solent.
Yachts were chartered from Lymington and the plan was to sail the boats to Hamble on Monday. Complete five races during Tuesday to Thursday and return the yachts to Lymington on Friday. I joined my crew, largely from Essex Region and skippered by Mary Fasham (Retired) , on the Sunday evening to take over our yacht, a rather nice 42 foot Jenneau with all mod cons, and plan the week ahead. Forecasts were mixed with light winds towards the end of the week, but what was immediately apparent that our plan to reposition the yachts on Monday was a non-starter. The tail end of Hurricane Katya was about to hit the UK and only the foolhardy would venture out! So Monday became a rather pleasant relaxing day, albeit breezy, enjoying the delights of Lymington but with both feet firmly planted on terra firma. Weather on Tuesday was a significant improvement with blustery winds but the south- westerly direction provided a fast comfortable run to Hamble. Having lost a day’s sailing, the race programme was revamped to try to and provide four races across Wednesday and Thursday, rather than the planned five. Wednesday was a much better day with some good wind and excellent sailing conditions allowing two enjoyable races to be completed. Thursday morning broke with glorious wall to wall sunshine, but as forecast on Sunday, not a breathe of air! We all motored to the start line in mid-Solent, anchored and reached for the sun cream. However patience paid off and after four hours a sea breeze finally filled to allow a single race to be completed in challenging conditions with a strong spring tide running. So how did we do? Well enough; of the three races sailed we got two firsts and a second to be the series winner for the Vigilant Cup. Did everything go as we planned? Of course not; and there is always someone with a camera to evidence it when it goes wrong. As the photo shows, flying a spinnaker sideways is not the recommended way......but amazingly it pulled quite well!! Next year the Regatta is likely to be held in West Scotland with some glorious views (weather permitting!). We will be back and if any of you are tempted to join us, please get in touch with me for more details.
