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Contessa 32 Inshore Series 3 at HRSC

Published 15:14 on 25 Jun 2025

The Solent Contessa 32s, came to HRSC on the weekend of the 21^st and 22^nd of June 2025, to contest their Inshore Series Regatta 3. The weather was forecast to be breezy, and it didn't disappoint. "Punchy" was how Mel Mcqueen of Connie described it. There was plenty of action on the Solent this weekend, with the RSrnYC running their Summer Regatta and the J- Cup and the Impala Nationals. Fortunately, they were supported by a Race Team from HRSC. In addition, the Cape 31 Class were hosting their nationals. With a latish start at 1200, to allow travelling boats to arrive and with a helpful south-easterly breeze, the race team set up shop in the vicinity of Coronation Buoy. In the event timing was everything as, just when the HRSC team had announced "Orange Attention in one minute", the Warsash SC committee boat came to negotiate some space for their RS event. It always pays to get your towel down first! Warsash managed to squeeze inshore between Coronation and Chieftain Training.

CRO Rupert Wolloshin, ably assisted by Messrs Langdon, Pountain, McKie and Lutley, set a windward/leeward type of course, just using the fixed Solent buoys, as there were already too many laid buoys littering the plateau. Corafin, Robin Holland, didn't make the first start as they had left their genoa on the dock! Andaxi, Donna Rouse-Collen, came home first, followed by a very exited Connie, Mel Mcqueen. Mel and crew were new to the boat and chuffed with their podium finish. Drumbeat, Mark Himsworth came third. The second race was a similar affair with Andaxi getting a second bullet. Drumbeat came second and Carinosa, Jo Sammons was third.

Saturday night saw a deck party at HRSC, followed by a three-course dinner in the clubhouse. There were a couple of speeches and one very non nautical joke that I couldn't possibly mention.

Sunday's forecast was for more wind and stronger gusts than Saturday. In order to facilitate a quick start and turn around it was decided to start at Bald Head and introduce the Contessas to a reaching start. Drumbeat came home first in race one and the cheers from the boat showed how much it meant to them. Andaxi was second and Corafin third. With the J-Cup competitors going home after their first race, we gave the Contessa fleet the choice of staying or going home. To a boat they wanted to continue. They're made of sterner stuff these Contessa sailors. So, a quick thrash down to the Solent, followed by a short beat and quick thrash back was the course design. Andaxi just pipped Drumbeat to take the series with Corafin third. Connie managed to place third overall helped by Corafin's missing genoa in Race1. We look forward to welcoming the Contessa 32 fleet back next season.

Trevor Pountain.