Lymington Town Sailing Club’s Solent Circuit throws up thrilling racing

Lymington Town Sailing Club’s flagship event, the Solent Circuit series, saw competitors compete in thrilling races again.

The racing is often in challenging conditions, as this is the time of year that the autumn lows rumble across the Atlantic, usually making for racing at the top of the wind range for the fleet of hardy racers.

Nick Hopwood has been at the helm of this well-run series for 15 years and has assisted or led the race team to deliver excellent racing.

This year was no exception, leaving Hopwood and the race team stretched to the limit, with either no wind or 50 knots. That meant the series was limited to two weekends where the weather played ball.

The series had an excellent turnout, with 38 boats racing in four classes, all sponsored by Luxury Property Projects.

In the end, five races out of six were sailed in IRC Class and Sportsboats, and four sailed in YTC and Folk boats.

In Class One, it was team Boomerang that dominated. They are regulars and packed with talent. Gin Tonic and Jelly Baby duked it out in second and third, finishing on 11 points, with the former boat taking second on countback.

Juno (Michael Carrington) took the Endeavour Trophy for the highest-scored boat that took part in all races.

Results: 1, Boomerang, five points; 2, Gin Tonic (Andy Roberts), 12 points; 3, Jelly Baby (William Newton), 12 points.

In YTC there was some tight racing between White Mischief and Colleen. These two teams have been racing the Solent Circuit for many seasons, so there is stiff rivalry on the course between them.

Ultimately, it was decided over a single race, as their scores were identical in all but race three. Andy Hind in White Mischief prevailed this year.

Results: 1, White Mischief (Andy Hind), six points; 2, Colleen (Alan Hill), eight points; 3, Strega (Matt Perkins), 14.7 points.

The racing was tight in the Sports Boats, but the RS 21 Dark & Stormy dominated the fleet with three bullets and a second to close out the class.

Traffic Jam J80 kept them honest, while Escape J70 also pushed them hard from behind.

Results: 1, Dark & Stormy (Liam and Keith Willis), five points; 2, Traffic Jam (Toby Collyer), eight points; 3, Escape (Giles Chipperfield), 13 points.

Folk Boats is the regatta’s premier class with excellent one-design racing.

It was tight at times, but the overall winners were Gybe n’, who won with three bullets and a second.

There were many lead changes, particularly in the last race of the series.

Nick Ingram of Otter sailed an outstanding first two legs only to be overhauled in the second beat by Gybe n’ with their natural ballast.

Results: 1, Gybe n’ (Cy Grisley and Simon Evans), five points; 2, Mistral (Claire and Julian Sowry), eight points; 3, Jen (John Cooper), 20 points.

The overall winner of the Solent Circuit Series also went to Gybe n’. Evans, who raced the victorious boat and owns Luxury Property Projects, thanked the club for hosting another excellent regatta.

A club spokesperson thanked Hopwood for all his hard work and dedication over the years, praising his pragmatic approach to getting races raced.