Excellent lively racing was enjoyed by the competitors and a very convivial evening meal on Saturday night at the Club entertained by the  Riverside Blues Band.

On the Saturday, with the wind averaging 22 knots, nearly all the competitors ventured out towards the entrance of the Lymington River, a few turned back as the wind increased to 28 knots and the waves built in height. Undeterred, Race Officer, Nigel Walbank started all classes together in a handicap race but by the time that the leading boat had completed the first lap and a half, and the wind increased to 32 knots most of the boats had retired. The race was abandoned as the wind continued to increase. The boats with broken masts were towed home.

Start - Photo - Barry Sticklen

With reduced winds on Sunday morning, racing started on time. Toby Dale & James Cole (505) led the fleet around a triangle, sausage, triangle course from start to finish chased by a Flying Dutchman (Tony Lyall & Colin Burns) and a Fireball (Miles Thomas & Paul Roe)

Overall Winner - Toby Dale & James Cole
Photo - Barry Sticklen

In the second race, a Flying Dutchman (Lucy Lingard & Richard Phillips) made up for their slow start in the first race and established a small lead over Dale (505) and Lyall (FD) who overhauled them by the first mark. A close race ensued between the 2 FDs but Lyall pulled away on the second lap and in so doing became FD Southern Area Champion. During the race visibility closed down and wind increased to 25 knots. Dale won on the water and handicap with a Hornet (Jon Williams & Robert Angus) second on handicap.

2nd Overall - Jon Williams & Robert Angus - Photo - Barry Sticklen

In the final race, with increased wind the boats finished in what was also the final overall positions for the event, Dale (505) 1st, Williams (Hornet) 2nd, Lyall (FD) 3rd, Thomas (Fireball) 4th.