Sea Ventures Super Series Test Event Round 2, Lymington
by Mark Angell 14 Nov 2023 08:23 NZDT
11-12 November 2023
Sea Ventures Super Series Test Event Round 2, Lymington © John Green - Cowes
A mixed (and relatively inaccurate) forecast awaited the fleet competing in Round 2 of the Sea Ventures Super Series which took place this past weekend. Saturday brought a bright blue sky and autumnal sunshine but light winds for race 1 of the round.
Racing commenced from a central-Solent start area after a short postponement to allow the fleet to take a two-minute silence and pay their respects at 11am on the 11/11. The fleet comprising a mixture of Sun Fast 3300s, JPKs and a Farr X2 all headed upwind in a super light westerly breeze, assisted by a building west going tide.
Farrcical was first to cross the finish line at Blackrock, however, retired after discovering that a mark had been left to the wrong side. Farrcical's error allowed Ian Hoddle's Game On to take victory crossing the finish line off Yarmouth some 19 secs ahead of fellow Sun Fast 3300 - Simon Bamford's Kestrel.
With Race 1 completed and the wind decreasing to produce a mirror across the Western Solent, the second race was cancelled, and the fleet made their way to moor up together in Lymington for early showers.
Saturday night's social was held at the excellent Haven Bar and Restaurant bringing the fleet together to compare notes on the day's race, and share plans for 2024. Pre-dinner drinks were served at the Royal Lymington YC.
After the lack of wind on Saturday, the fleet was eager for the planned single long race on Sunday. Race Officer Rich Palmer set out a 19.5nm slalom course, starting in the Western Solent and taking in the picturesque shores of Yarmouth, Newtown Creek and Hampstead Ledge on the island side with Beaulieu and Stansore Point on the Mainland side.
With lots of turning marks to take the fleet back to the central Solent there was an option to shorten the course should the condition require it. No such contingency was needed with the wind peaking at 15kts, and a heavy downpour in the last 40 mins of the race.
Close racing was once again a feature of the day, with Kestrel this time taking the upper hand on corrected time, leading the fleet by a convincing two minute eighteen second advantage ahead of Game On, with Farrcical another six minutes adrift of second in third.
Tied at the top for the round with 3 points were the two Sun Fast 3300s Kestrel and Game On with Simon Bamford's Kestrel being awarded the Round 2 win on a count back. Mzungu! a JPK1080 completed the podium places.
Round 2, Lymington Top 3 Results:
1st - Kestrel, SF3300, Simon Bamford - 3 Points
2nd - Game On, SF3300, Ian Hoddle - 3 Points
3rd - Mzungu!, JPK1080, Tony White - 7 Points
After two rounds, Kestrel is perched on the top of the series leader board with 12 points, Game On 2nd with 15 points and the Farr X2 Farrcical in 3rd place with 17 points.
Round 3 of the Sea Ventures Super Series will take place on the 25th/26th November. Where the host port will be Yarmouth.
More information at www.sea-ventures.co.uk/race-yachts-super-series