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35th Hamble Winter Series - Week 3

Published 13:08 on 7 Dec 2016

Despite a pessimistic forecast, oilskin-swaddled crews competing in the Hamble Winter Series enjoyed a day of champagne sailing – with only a few rain squalls to remind them that Autumn is setting in.

A wind direction of around 215 degrees with big gusts under ominous clouds allowed the race team to send the assembled fleets on a course that led them to the north side of the Bramble Bank. Kathy Smalley, assistant race officer, said 'We had a really good day on the water and we couldn't pass up the opportunity to send everyone to a bit of the Solent they don't normally get to sail in – with the Calshot shoreline and Bramble Bank to add some tactical challenges to the race course!'

Competitors appreciated the opportunity to test their skills: John Noe, owner of La Nef IV, sailing in IRC 3 commented: 'We thoroughly enjoyed the 2 courses yesterday. The first took us to the Royal Thames mark which the winter series rarely uses. This gave us a good beat and some fast fetching in the breeze'.