A glorious day with blue skies and sea, greeted the visiting Solution and Phantom helms to the Solent on Sunday morning.
The lack of wind was a challenge which Race Officer Dick Banks handled superbly. Briefings for the morning race were rescheduled every 30 minutes, whilst hopeful helms scanned the horizon for ripples on the Solent. Dick eventually took the decision to take an early lunch and scheduled 3 short back to back races to start at 13:00, by which time he assured us the sea breeze would be filling in.
True to his word the wind came up and 5 Solution and 7 Phantom sailors enjoyed superb sailing in conditions which built to 12-14 knots.
Solution Race Report
Three races of around 40 minutes each sailed back to back over a triangle/sausage course.
Race 1
Long distance traveler Steven from Ripon, showed the fleet the way and led for much of the race until local sailor Clark edged his way through on the final beat as the wind slowly increased. Following closely were Wright, Pickstock and Vassallo, until an incident at the windward mark allowed Pickstock through into third place, a position she held to the end of the race.
Race 2
Home club sailors Clark and Vassallo dominated the second race; with Clark eventually pulling away to cross the line first with Vassallo holding second place. Wright was holding third place from Pickstock, with Steven bringing up the rear. Wright then got the prize for the most spectacular capsize missing his toe straps after hardening up rounding the final mark. Pickstock as in the first race accepted the gift and sailed on to finish third, followed by Steven with Wright snapping at his heels to finish last.
Race 3
With the wind increasing the race officer managed an extra lap for the final race.
Clark led from the start and although crossing the line last Wright rounded the windward mark in second place. The pair then pulled clear of the following pack, making use of the wind and waves on the reach to the wing mark. Vassallo kept in contact and finished in third place with Pickstock and Stephen close behind.
Impeccable work by the race officer enabled all helms and duty crews to be ready for the prize giving on schedule at 17:00 Everyone agreed the long wait for the wind was worth while and the resulting conditions produced a fantastic afternoons racing.
Final Results
| Helm |
Club |
Race 1 |
Race 2 |
Race 3 |
Net |
Position |
|
| Clark |
Seafarers |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
|
| Vassallo |
Seafarers |
5 |
2 |
3 |
5 |
2 |
|
| Wright |
Seafarers |
4 |
5 |
2 |
6 |
3 |
|
| Steven |
Ripon |
2 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
4 |
|
| Pickstock |
Rudyard |
3 |
3 |
4 |
6 |
5 |
|
Seafarers Sailing Club Solution/Phantom Open 27th July 2008
