Keyhaven Yacht Club take to the water for annual Rum Race

KEYHAVEN Yacht Club ran their annual New Year’s Day Rum Race with a field of 21 starters.

The race team of Alex Pepper and Colin Dunford decided on a pontoon start then out to a course in the Solent and returning to finish at the club pontoon.

Starting both fleets together which the Open fleet made the best of the conditions and clearing Hawkers to a course in the Solent and then returning to the main river to the finish line.

The Finns moved ahead of the fleet with the Lasers chasing and Julie Willis in her Aero. At the finish line, Cy Grisley finished first and Simon Moss second and third was Rob Langley in a Laser.

The Scow fleet found the conditions more challenging with the wind conditions and tide, so the race team decided to shorten their course finishing them in the Solent. Angus Raby was first with Chris Caswell second and Andy Ash-Vie third.

With all competitors and support boat teams back in the clubhouse, Penny Caswell presented the prizes. Everyone felt that the day was a great success and tremendous start to the new and very full sailing programme in 2020.

For results and the 2020 sailing programme, visit www.keyhavenyc.co.uk