No need for spring cleaning with all this rain!

Over the 21-22^nd and 28^th-29^th April, the crew of Yeoman of Wight were out on the water once again, this time competing in the Warsash Spring Series. An entry of 17 boats made up the fleet of the Brewin Dolphin Commodore’s Cup triallists, with Yeoman of Wight competing in the CC2 class. With the results of all 12 races to count towards the final placings, we looked forward to a full on four days of racing.

The first weekend saw a total of 190 boats bobbing on the water until around 1130, when a pleasant 8-10 knots finally arrived from the WSW. Starting near the Fastnet Insurance buoy, we sailed some short windward-leeward courses, in what proved to be some pretty shifty conditions! Unfortunately lacking three of our usual crew, we found our starts were inconsistent and manoeuvres not quite as sharp. Having to work hard at the back of the fleet, with minimal clean air, it was disappointing to finish further down the fleet than expected, considering our 2^nd place finish at the RORC Easter Challenge.

  However, with an afternoon of 20 knot gusts and showers, we got in some good heavy airs practice; especially with the longer, six mile courses. Finishing the third race well after 1600, it had been a long day’s racing, wrapped up nicely with a detailed de-brief with some key points to work on the next day.

With just 2 races scheduled for the Sunday, the day started with sunshine and light airs; all a false pretence for the squally rains and winds that were to follow. With 27 boats on the start line, as IRC1 was joined by the Farr 45’s and Commodore’s Cup triallists, it was important not to get buried in the pack. Still short of our usual crew including the tactician, once again our true colours didn’t shine through; but we enjoyed the weekend, and were psyched up for the final races of the series on the 28-29^th April.

Once again it was a wet and windy weekend, with a low pressure system expected south east of Biscay bringing a forecast of strong winds / gales. Proving to be correct, racing was called off the Sunday with gusts of over 30 knots.








Completing four races on the Saturday, we sailed a windward-leeward course once again, with the first 2 races having a long spreader mark. With the usual team back on board, we sailed better; beating both Diamond Jem and Malice in 3 of the four races, we were pleased to have met one of our aims for the day. Our manoeuvres too were back on form, seeing some exciting leeward mark roundings where on numerous occasions we gained places on 4-5 boats.


 Unfortunately, although we were in a position to do the same in race 3, a poor gybe resulting in a kite twist saw us sailed down to 10^th position!

With no sailing on the Sunday, we spent the morning discussing plans for the Morgan Cup this coming weekend. Having sorted various things such as ISAF classifications, going through the safety regulations and the fine details of how many sandwiches should be made, we are geared up and ready go for a little jaunt offshore!

 We would like to thank Polaroid Eyewear for providing us with some funky green sunglasses, and their support over various social media for both weekends, and also Gill clothing, as we eagerly await the arrival of their KB range of sailing gear.