Warming Pan Race Report - March 30th 2025

On the 30tth of March 2025, Hamble River Sailing Club organised again the Warming Pan, organised for 3 fleets racing under PY and Foxers. Foxer fleet asked to be sent out but unfortunately the conditions meant they turned back after sailing into Southampton Water as it was too windy and choppy, we'll need a backup plan in Foxer Bay for them next time.

The first race was a long race from Club start line out to a committee finish on Bald Head Plateau. Few boats got lost, especially the slow fleet which followed the leading ILCA who was instructed by a passing rib to the wrong committee. Few boats also got into difficulties as the breeze was up with short chop from tide against wind. Foxers turned around as conditions were too dangerous for them.

Races 2 and 3 were windward/leeward of different lengths for each class to try to keep the waiting to the minimum. By the 3rd race, wind dropped a bit and tide eased so conditions were much easier.

The return race back for a Club line finish was set with a last mark rounding in front of Hamble Lifeboat The building tide going out of the river started to favour the faster boats.

In the Slow fleet Thomas Saunders (Warsash SC) dominated in his ILCA 6 ahead of two Toppers, Henry Noel (Warsash SC) and Phileas Rousselle (Hamble River SC).

The Medium fleet was a tight overall with just a point between each podium places. Mark Ripley (Paignton SC/Warsash SC) on a RS Aero7 won ahead of Heather Ross (Netley SC) on a RS Aero 5 and Paul Young and his crew (Midland Sailing Club) on an Enterprise.

The Fast fleet was won by Nick Craig (Burghfiled SC) on his Finn ahead of Sam Wealthy (Warsash SC) and his crew on a RS200 and Tim Carver (Warsash SC) on his Finn edged the third on count back from Chris Pilling and his crew (WSC) on a RS200.

The overall winner of the Warming Pan this Year was from the Slow fleet Thomas Saunders from Warsash Sailing Club ahead of Nick Craig and Mark Ripley only separated with their return race time.

These four races were a testing start to the season for many dinghy racers and did make bodies to work hard hiking. It was good to relaunch Hamble River Sailing Club Warming Pan and we hope to welcome for a much better one ashore and afloat on the 22nd March 2026.