Results for Race 1 for 26th April 2026

First Race of the season, saw great sailing weather, sunny enough to make everyone's cheeks look rosy, lasting beyond the exertions of the outing

Winter cobwebs were well and truly blown out, boat gremlins were identified and put on the list to sort

For a good turn out of 10 boats, a sightseeing course was set, which had elements of this year's upcoming Solent Forts Race, namely a similar leg across to Portsmouth, a turning mark to please the spectators (with cameras in hand) and the flexibility of slow/fast, or medium speed via the sub-marine Barrier passages, no expectations to complete the course, if crew/boats had had enough, so long as sailors informed Ian/Brian in Ziggy (SB)

Spectator(s) - Wes introduced his potential future crew Harry(2yrs), who proficiently pointed out the boats, as well showing a keen enthusiasm for the tractor, like the rest of us, immediately revealing to everyone that he would be welcome as one of the boys

George and Jenny were dipping a toe, with Renee's (old) Dart16X, choosing, along with Ken and Annie (also, Dart16X), to do their boat-testing, by cruising the first 2 legs of the course (Gunner Pt/Langstone Harbour Entrance beachfront)

They then became a well appreciated beach party, welcoming and recovering other boats returning from the race

Two new-ish members (from Locks SC) Rupert in his Shadow X, and Ian (in Clive's old FX One) both blasted off the start line, trapezing flat out for the cameras in their single-handers

The wind direction favoured 2-sails, rather than 3, but, didn't stop Richard and Justin banging the kite up, once out of the Harbour, en route for Portsmouth, of course

The colourful śails of the Hobies looked very picturesque in the sun, which camera-phones from the Beach didn't do justice, but, Brian, crewing Ian in the Safety Boat, was able to capture some good shots of Andy/Ben in the Pacific and Burnzy/BurnzyJnr in the 16

Neil with new member, Baptiste ('no encouragement needed, just, straight out on the wire') went well in the Tiger, showcasing it's potential speed

Luke, new member (Dart18), and Jennie chose the shorter (2.7Nm) route back thru the Inner sub-marine channel and, punching above their weight, with a remarkable turn of speed, were rewarded with line honours

Adrian and Fen in their newly acquired Tornado (carbon mast intact - at the moment), in the bigger boat, braved a beat up to the outer channel, negotiated a passage thru ("a bit of a rodeo") to enjoy an exhilarating flat-out twin-string 2-sail reach with following waves to take runner-up, on the water

A Dart18 beating the fastest boat in the club by 4mins on the water - a club first?

Everyone cleared the start line within 1min, Andy even had time to return to the beach for a running repair, still clearing the line in front of 2 of the fleet

First boat back after an hour and a quarter, with last(fifth), by a very respectable one and a half hour. Safety Boat ashore, soon after, (just before 2pm)

Two sets of cruising sailors had broad smiles on their, faces,
3 boats signed off retired to gain a well deserved 8+1pt tally,
winter cobwebs blown out,
equipment tested,
swimming techniques demonstrated to keep Ian and Brian, in Ziggy(SB) entertained

OOD Dave had a very pleasant afternoon with the assisting race control Team,
Clive, operating the hooter,
thereby, enabling easier jotting down of the times,
Barry on backup,
after a discussion whether camera phones with date-stamped photo's were feasible for recording the finishes?
Phil, on his day off,
also, popped along for a chat

Fresh off the VHF course, I needed 3 people to successfully help on the comms
e.g. helpful prompts for

'Ziggy, Ziggy, Ziggy, this is, Gunner, Gunner, Gunner. Over'

(click, oh yeah, click, oh, oh yeah..)

Only thing missing was a refreshments basket to further enjoy the duty - biscuits and cream teas next time?

Anxieties dispelled, confidence renewed
- a good start to the season