Lymington Town Sailing Club’s Perisher Series faces challenging conditions

THE sixth race of Lymington Town Sailing Club’s Perisher Series was sailed in the most unwelcoming conditions of the series this year.

The persistent and at times heavy rain was accompanied by a gusty westerly breeze touching 28 knots at times.

Given the conditions and state of the tide, it was decided to operate separate starts for single and double handers, giving competitors room to manoeuvre without incident.

A number of those who had intended to race decided to take the more comfortable option and watch the action from the confines of the Clubhouse. However, the foul conditions were not enough to deter over 30 boats who were busy preparing to challenge the elements.

At the start the well-behaved fleet got away cleanly with no offenders. With all the Club’s racing marks undergoing maintenance ashore, two moveable marks were employed to indicate the course.

One laid to the west of Baverstock and the other to the east of the river mouth gave the reaching boats every opportunity to enjoy the lively conditions. Some of the less fortunate failed to keep their masts pointing skywards and practised their swimming techniques as a result.

The wind and rain had relented as the boats made their way back up the river to the Club line. The McEwans, in an RS800, were a long way clear of the remainder but when the numbers were crunched, they had dropped to eighth place.

The winners were Oliver Dowson-McGill and crew in a 420 just 16 seconds ahead of Peter Barton in an Aero. Third spot was taken by Richard Russell and Pete Bell in their Tasar.