Beneteau First 31.7 Regatta 1-2 July 2006 - Race Report

With eleven boats entered for the Beneteau First 31.7 Regatta, the weather could not have been kinder and promised to provided lots of close and exciting racing for the crews.

With consistent wind, bright sunshine and 30 degree heat we could all have been in the Mediterranean rather than the Solent.

The regatta’s primary focus was to provide an opportunity for boats and crews new to racing to come and have a go without the stress of a major regatta and also avoiding the necessity of gaining a full IRC rating before participating.

To ensure that the existing race boats did not have an unfair advantage and to provide near one-design-racing all boats were restricted to main, #1and #3 genoas and one all-purpose spinnaker.

In addition the regatta was set in Southampton Water to ensure it was crew work and tactics that dominated the results rather than the latest set of laminated racing sails. The boats also benefited from on-the-water coaching provided by Jamie Collins of UK Sails and Prue Nash of Ancasta International Boat Sales.

Saturday Race 1

The start was set near to Hovercraft 2, with the course selected to provide a gentle introduction to the day.

There was a slight delay to the first start sequence when Puckoon managed to wrap the ODM round her keel, which then had to be cleared with the assistance of the support rib. While Puckoon was being freed, a new ODM was set using a fender with a small anchor - more of this later.

The start of race one was a close affair and although intended to be a warm up, proved to be a full-on start sequence worthy of Cowes week. Electra, Kurketrekker and Aviva were all caught barging and were forced to go round, while Whistler had a cracking start midline and quickly escaped to the front of the fleet.

With all the boats now across the start line, a look back revealed that the ODM had disappeared and was probably being dragged by one of the boats, but which one?

The windward leg provided some great racing with the boats all in very close company and enjoying some close port-starboard crossings and a crowded windward rounding.

The next leg was a shy reach with all the boats sailing under whites, except for Plane Sailing who managed to hoist first just before the mark.

There then followed a downwind run to Moorhead. Whistler was working hard to consolidate her lead with Tai Pan close on her heels and the fleet in hot pursuit.

The following cross-tidal legs around Deans Elbow and NW Netley split the fleet and allowed Kurketrekker to catch Tai Pan and move up to second place.

As the race progressed it was obvious who had ODM as Aviva were proving to be a knot slower than the fleet!

Kurketrekker fought hard to catch up, but Whistler maintained her lead and finished a clear winner in race 1, with Kurketrekker taking second place and Tai Pan taking third.

Saturday Race 2

Once Aviva was freed of the ODM and anchor, assisted by the rib and a brave crewmember stripped to his Speedos, the second line was set at Netley.

This time a windward leeward course was set between Hound and Moorhead.

The second start again proved to be a tight affair, with the fleet getting away in close company. The majority of the boats went inshore to try and avoid the flooding tide, while Plane Sailing decided to try her luck with clearer air in the deeper water.

After a close windward rounding it was the boats that gybed early into the deeper channel that gained the most from the tide. Electra rounded the leeward mark first in close company with Kurketrekker clear ahead of the fleet.

Electra and Kurketrekker in clear air consolidated their lead and managed to pull away from the fleet.

Kurketrekker pushed all the way, but were unable to overhaul Electra and she hung on to take first place.

Meanwhile, Whistler had done well and worked her way gradually through the fleet and managed to secure third place giving her the overall first for the regatta.

The fleet spent the night rafted in Port Hamble courtesy of Ancasta where the prize giving and BBQ were enjoyed by all.

Our thanks go to Ancasta International Boat Sales and UK Sails for their support and sponsorship making this a truly memorable event.

Sunday Pursuit Race

Sunday provided even better weather conditions with the fleet starting in reverse order from Saturday’s results.

Electra acted as committee boat for the early starters and provided each boat with a volley of water bombs to set them on their way.

With the start at Greenland buoy the course was a long windward leg to East Bramble, followed by a lovely downwind leg to Hill Head in 18 knots of breeze providing for some great spinnaker sailing.

With the wind increasing, the restricted sail inventory came into play with some boats switching down to the #3 while others gutted it out with their #1.

Another short windward leeward completed the course with the finish at Flying Fish. The fleet compressed as the race progressed and the faster boats caught up, but it was Plane Sailing that eventually overhauled Back Jack to take first place just ahead of Aviva,

All in all a fantastic weekend’s racing.

The next event for the Solent 31.7s is Beneteau Cup when we will be racing for the first time for our very own trophy. See you there!

Rob Munro took lots of photo's from the Rib on Saturday and here are a few from Electra ....

Results

Notice of Race

Saturday 1st July Regatta
Saturday Regatta Sailing Instructions
Southampton Water Racing Marks Chartlet
Port Hamble Mooring Details for Saturday Evening

Sunday 2nd July Persuit Race
Sunday Pursuit Race Sailing Instructions
Central Solent Racing Chartlet
Central Solent Racing Marks

AUTHOR: Andy Phelps – Electra GBR 8198T
DATE: 3 July 2006