Please select your home edition
Edition
Motomuck SaltyMuck Static 728 x 90 px TOP

Solent Super Series - Round 3 Yarmouth

by Mark Angell 13 Nov 05:57 NZDT 9-10 November 2024
Solent Super Series Round 3 Yarmouth © FourthCape

The Solent Super Series™ is getting a bit of a reputation - third round and third weekend of sub 6 knot winds, fortunately a light wind 'nowcast' doesn't deter either the race committee or the competitors from taking on the challenge that light air sailing brings.

Race 1 of the Round got under way on Saturday after a short delay, the start line set between a robotic MarkSetBot and fixed Solent mark 3S TeamO sending the fleet racing downwind to the East, before turning back against the tide and beating westward. The first leg provided some great racing all be it in slow motion and included the traditional Solent hazard of a ship passing through the fleet. After an hour and a half, with only the first mark rounded, and the flood tide showing no signs of easing (just yet) the decision was made to abandon racing and move the fleet West in search of breeze, allowing the flood to ease and the ebb tide to get under way.

The Fleet repositioned to Hampstead Ledge for a 5nm triangle course to be raced, finishing just off Yarmouth Harbour, once again a line set up with the robotic MarkSetBot and a fixed Solent Mark - the Bot impressively holding station in the strong ebb tide of around 2.5 knots. Now experienced in starting races in 5 kts of wind, the fleet got under way and were rewarded with some great racing before Kestrel emerged as the winner, finishing as dusk started to fall, while the back markers finished under nav lights in the dark at 17:08, that's winter racing for you!

With all boats safely into Yarmouth Harbour, competitors enjoyed welcome drinks supported by Unity Sailing (thanks guys), hosted at The George Hotel with teams discussing the day's action and studying their drifting and racing tracks on the bar's TV screen. The GeoRacing mobile phone tracking the Series is using allows for a review of each key point, some of which were enthusiastically reviewed especially after a few drinks.

In keeping with the Super Series tradition, the welcome drinks gave way to Saturday night's social & and a short prize-giving for the previous round. This round's all-competitors dinner was hosted at Salty's Pizzeria a firm Yarmouth favourite, where Kestrel was awarded the Round 2 prize. Those with some energy left in the tank, were able to enjoy some drinks and dancing on tables before retiring to their boats and some well-earned sleep.

Even the blurriest eyed on Sunday morning could see that reality was close to forecast and after rolling up sleeping bags, and grabbing some breakfast, the fleet followed the race team onboard the Cowes United committee boat out for another race start in under 6kts of wind start. Race Officer Rich Palmer electing for a downwind start getting the fleet away from the Island shore saw a split in the fleet, with three boats opting to sail the long leg on port first making good gains and rounded the mark off Lymington 11 minutes ahead of the boats that had opted for the other side of the leg. The wind held direction for a beat back across the tide to Yarmouth, where the fun really started, a long downwind zig zag course taking the teams back to the central Solent. The 11-minute deficit fleet included the Sun Fast 3300 Kestrel, by now had drawn level with the fleet again, after 90 minutes of racing, only to be swept the wrong side of a mark and having to beat back to get round. The Sun Fast 3200 Full Circle found their own personal line of breeze and sailed around the other boats to take the lead on the water and build a 10 minute lead only to be overhauled by Lord of the Dance having a better mark rounding and holding their asymmetric spinnaker for the tight leg, however, in the final hour of racing the last 4 legs provided opportunity, with Kestrel making an unbelievable recovery. Not quite being able to catch up Lord of the Dance on the water who crossed the finish line for a well-earned line honours followed 50 seconds later by Kestrel who were audibly jubilant as they crossed the line making up their second deficit of the day to win the race on IRC handicap by just 11 seconds.

The GeoRacing tracking captured, well, one of the wackiest races of the season, and can be replayed here - Race 2: fourthcape.com/solentss/round-3-yarmouth

Kestrel posted two race wins, handing them the Round (imitating their Round 2 win) Lord of the Dance second and JPK1030 Insert Coin completing the Round 3 - Yarmouth podium. 3 Rounds are now complete, it's down to fourth and final round (Hamble) to decide who will win the 2024 Solent Super Series.

Related Articles

Hamble Winter Series 2024 Race Week 6
Just like London buses, two IRC 1 boats came along at the same time Robert Hillman's Exuberant was the Committee Vessel for Race Week 6 of the Hamble Winter Series, sponsored by Key Yachting. Indeed, exuberant was how everyone was feeling, with the prospect of two races for the second week running. Posted on 20 Nov
2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race media launch
A diverse and competitive fleet of 108 yachts is set to compete A fleet of 108 yachts is set to take on the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia's (CYCA) 79th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race (RSHYR) on 26 December at 1300 hours. Posted on 20 Nov
Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race preview
2024 edition will be the 79th of the 628-nautical mile (1,163 kilometre) offshore race Since its inauguration nearly 80 years ago, the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race has built an esteemed global reputation and become one of the most famous fixtures on the international sporting calendar. Posted on 19 Nov
RORC Caribbean 600 news
RORC Nelson's Cup Series is now a stand-alone event The stage is set for an electrifying 16th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600, starting Monday 24th February 2025, from Antigua. The early entries in IRC Zero reveal a fierce battle among some of the most advanced offshore racing machines on the planet. Posted on 19 Nov
Breakthrough in Monitoring Detects Rig Danger
Before you even leave the dock What if you knew your rig was about to fail due to fatigue, before even boarding your yacht? You could simply book in for a service and get back to safe sailing as soon as possible. Posted on 19 Nov
Scaramouche's Mini Tonner Season 20
Greig City Academy sailors have a very successful year This season saw a very pleasing evolution of the Scaramouche Sailing project for many new up and coming sailors. Much of the learning's biggest successes can be traced back to our mini tonner Riot and IF. Posted on 18 Nov
Bird Island Race Finish and Standings
The Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore event took place on Saturday The Bird Island Race, the fourth event in the Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore (ACSBWPS), took place on Saturday 16 November under overcast skies and windy conditions. Posted on 18 Nov
All over bar the party
Typhoon Man-Yi put a damper on the opening regatta of the BPI Signature Yacht Race Series The Corregidor Cup is the opening event of the BPI Private Wealth Signature Yacht Race Series, a highly laudable programme from sponsors the Bank of the Philippine Islands Posted on 18 Nov
Pics of BWPS Bird Island Race finishers
The clouds cleared as the leaders approached the finish line The clouds cleared late this afternoon as the front runners in the Audi Centre Sydney BWPS Bird Island Race passed Sydney Heads, closing on the finish line. Posted on 16 Nov
2025 IRC European Championship announced
The Championship returns to the Mediterranean in October Every two years, the IRC European Championship alternates between northern and southern Europe. Following a spectacular edition in Ireland this year, the Championship returns to the Mediterranean - this time on the beautiful island of Corsica. Posted on 15 Nov
HALLSPARS_BOOMS_SW_728X99-lot-99 BOTTOMPredictWind - GPS 728x90 BOTTOMMotomuck SaltyMuck Static 728 x 90 px BOTTOM