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FD Southern Area Championship Lymington - 20/21 August 2005 |
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Sun, strong tides, light winds, close racing, excellent meal, great views |
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Toby & James borrowed a boat to defend their title and to engage in a duel with Julian & Corin who had recently won the FD Nationals. The first race was held in a light northerly wind and an ebbing tide which gathered pace during the race. There was some close racing and eventually Toby took the lead, with Julian second and Peter & Richard third. With an increasing tide, the second race was quickly under way and the fleet battled to round the marks. Eventually the tide took control in the dying wind and after an hour the race officer shortened the course but even so the leading boats could not match the tide, so with the fleet gently drifting away from the mark towards Hurst the race was abandoned. Undeterred the race officer set a new shorter course closer to the shore, but only one boat managed to round the first mark and with the wind expiring and spinning around in all directions, the race was abandoned. Having, beaten up the river at spring low tide, the fleet had a very enjoyable dinner in the club house. Sunday morning there seemed to be even less wind and the last of the ebb tide took the fleet down the river to the start area where the tide was beginning to flood. The first race of the day saw sufficient wind to overcome the tide. Julian again took a commanding lead and was rewarded with a completed race with Toby second and Tony & Colin third. Lucy & Jamie showed good speed but slipped back. John & Robin were going well for some time in third place but slipped back towards the end. The second race of the day was quickly started and again Lucy & Jamie showed good early speed. Toby & James dominated the race and Tony & Colin pulled through to finish second. The sea breeze appeared in the distance at Hurst but was moving slowly. After setting a course the race officer delayed the start and the fleet was rewarded with a superb SW force 5 breeze. The fleet sprang alive and Toby & James in their element stormed away to a third win. Jon & Alex narrowly beat Tony & Colin in the final stages of the race with Peter & Richard close behind in fourth place. At the prize giving
Lucy received an engraved glass vase for being the first woman overall.
The club and in particular the race officer, was warmly thanked with
acclaim for a very successful and enjoyable event. |
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Julian, Tony, James, Toby, Corin, Lucy,
Toby, Colin
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PROVISIONAL NOTICE The 2005 FD Southern Area Championship is being hosted by the Lymington Town Sailing Club www.ltsc.co.uk. LTSC will also be hosting the Fastsail Classes Regional Event on 20/21 May 2006. Key Features of Sailing at Lymington- on edge of New Forest National Park approx 17 miles from Bournemouth & Southampton Superb sailing in the West Solent - often SW sea breeze and strong tides Stunning views of Isle of Wight - Needles to Cowes and views of Hurst spit/Hurst castle 2 sailing clubs: Royal Lymington Yacht Club & Lymington Town Sailing Club share large public slipway with RNLI lifeboat and general public. - Large public car park next to slipway - during open meetings an area is cordoned off for visiting boats/trailers - need to purchase ticket for cars River meanders out to Solent and there are lots of moored yachts on edge of main channel. Beware port hand posts are out of water at spring low water. Westwight Ferry (Lymington to Yarmouth) has right of way and 100 metre exclusion zone in front of path. Ferries pass each other in the river - beware wind shadow and wash from ferry - also if in shallow water passing ferry sucks water out to leave you on mud. 2 large marinas - Berthon & Yachthaven Lots of chandlers,
bed & breakfast, small hotels and restaurants Provisional
Format of Racing Sunday - 3 races back to back - first race approx 10.30am - HW 1210 BST Course configurations will depend upon wind/tides with races approx 45 min to 1 hour long making use of permanent racing marks/buoys and if needed moveable marks. Prize giving (aim for 3.30pm) approx 90 mins after finish of last race Informal dinner - Saturday evening |
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