FD Southern Area Championship

Lee-on-the-Solent - 26/27 May 2007

Tony Lyall and Colin Burns in their new FD had recently returned from racing in Germany and were keen to retain their title.

The local boat owned and crewed by Jim Harrop with first appearance by Paul Atkinson as a new member to the FD Class was hoping that their local knowledge of the tricky tides and winds at Lee-on-the-Solent would pay off but unfortunately chose the wrong genoa for the wind conditions and lacked upwind speed. The helm of the other local team was revising for exams and had no time to race!!

Stephen Parry was race officer, using his yacht as the Committee boat and was assisted by Hugh Myers. Gordon Kingston, another former FD sailor who used to crew for Hugh Myers, provided invaluable assistance in the safety boat.

Peter Doran and Richard Phillips got off to a good start in the the first race with a variable north westerly wind and led around the course, Tony & Colin had a gear failure and retired leaving Paul Atkinson and Jim Harrop to gain second place.

The start of the second race was again won by Peter & Richard but Tony & Colin tacked into the shore and found a favourable lift to compensate for the stronger less favourable tide and rounded the first mark in the lead which they maintained to the finish.

The third race was more intense with many place changes and Tony & Colin finished in the lead.

So after three races, with no discards allowed, Richard & Peter were overnight leaders.

Sunday morning arrived with a lot of rain and light north easterly winds. There were forecasts of winds from all directions and from force 2 to force 8. As the boats sailed to the start, large black clouds formed over the Isle of Wight and the wind swung round to the east and increased in strength. By the time of the start it was blowing force 5 and increasing so the FD start was postponed and other racing abandoned.

The wind rose to a gusty force 6 and race officer Stephen Parry abandoned the racing for the day. The wind continued to increase as the boats returned to shore. Peter & Richard were knocked down in a viscous squall and were glad to receive assistance from Gordon.

Many thanks to Lee-on-the-Solent Sailing Club for hosting the event and to Stephen Parry and his team for providing good courses and great support.

GBR 382

Peter Doran

Richard Phillips