The Racecarmarine J/80 had a good day on the final 2 races of the series with 2 bullets meaning we won Class 1 in the short series. Relaxed informal racing in Southampton Water - we used the racing as a great fun environment to try out crew of all levels of experience - and we had one weekend where we demonstrated that dropping a kite in the water effectively stops the boat :) In a twist of fate - the idiot who steers the Racecarmarine J/80 sailed on the Hunter Formula One which used to belong to the winner of class 2 in the final race - Bob Gardner - 38 years ago at HISC. 

CLICK HERE FOR A VIDEO CLIP OF OUR RETURN TO THE DOCK IN A GOOD BREEZE!

Image; copyright Nathalie Hamiliton

Text: Dave Martin, RO

What a great finish to the RSYC Winter Series! Ten boats turned out for our last series event
of the year with the promise of conditions we don’t always see – sunshine combined with
winds of 12 knots gusting to 20+ knots from the West. The previous week we had been
promised strong winds but ended up abandoning racing for lack of wind (but no lack of
rain). This week delivered what was promised and the committee boats were out on the
water at 0800 to prepare for racing that was due to start at 1000.

Course planning was tricky since the wind was shifting significantly as each band of clouds
came over, but we settled on a 75 minute first race zig-zagging across Southampton Water
down to After Barn buoy before returning. A very tight race ensued with boats finishing
only seconds apart. Ross Bowdler’s J/80, “Justify” was the first class 1 across the line and
was also in first position on handicap. In class 2 Bob Gardner’s “Now or Never” took line
honours but came second on handicap to Jacob Mackenzie’s Evolution 22. “Glass Onion”.
The course for the second race was a slightly shortened (60 minute) version of the first. On
this occasion Mike Garvey’s X-362 Sport, “Magec” took line honours in class 1 but “Justify”
again finished first on handicap. In class 2 “Now or Never” was not going to be beaten and
took both line honours and first position.

These were the last two races of the Winter Series. In the series overall class 1 was won by
“Justify” with “Magec” in second place and Andy Horwood’s “Asante” third. The class 2
winner was “Glass Onion” followed by Oliver Hawkins’ Ginsea 90, “Sailfish” and “Glass
Onion”.

This isn’t quite the end of our racing season – in 2 weeks time we have our Charity Pursuit
race, with proceeds going to the Commodore’s chosen charity – the RSYC Trust. Put this in
your diary and join us for some fun racing – 1000 on Sunday 19th November in Southampton
Water. This is closely followed by our Prize Giving lunch at Gins at 1200 the following
Saturday 25th November.