UK Solent Grand Prix Series - Round 2 Sponsored by TeamO
The UK 18ft Skiff fleet congregated for the second time this year at their new home at Calshot Activity Centre to battle it out for Round 2 of the Solent Grand Prix Series. 6 races were planned over two days with the forecast promising breeze for both days.
Day 1
The first 3 races were sailed in some cross over conditions between the two rigs. There was a split fleet on the rig decision with only two boats taking on the challenge of the No1.
The first race started after a postponement to allow the fleet to get to the start line which was quite a way from Calshot. The first race saw most of the fleet playing it safe in the middle of the course to make sense of the tide. The two big rigs of Rutland and The Green skiff led the field until a bit more breeze allowed the small rig of ChamleonI to just get in between them by the end of the first race.
The second race saw boats picking sides as they'd worked the course out and a much tighter start as their confidence grew. That didn't stop the layline calls being tricky from so far out and made for a good show when Union Rose and Sail 4 Cancer both overstood the layline downwind needing to rag kites to get to the windward mark.
The final race got slightly breezier which kept ChameleonI hanging on to Rutland around the course. A gate had been put in for this race, making the layline calls downwind that much more important. Rutland kept a cool head to stay in front until the end of the race.
The day was dominated by Rutland who made the most of their big rig and took a clean sheet of 3 bullets. Chameleon-I managed to survive on their small rig to take home 3 2nd places. The remaining fleet all had their podium finishes to round off the day.
Day 2
Another 3 races today for the fleet, but this time in the spring sun. The race committee were prompt in firing off the 11am start which caught a couple of boats out. The forecast was for crossover conditions again and so there was another day of split rig decisions as the fleet hit the water.
Rutland had the line to themselves for the first race, but were being chased by ChameleonI to keep them honest. The course was a long one to avoid marks in the channel, so the fleet had to stretch their legs in some low teens breeze. Not quite enough for the small rigs to take charge upwind, but enough to punish silly mistakes on the big rigs.
The second race really was light and big rigs dominated off the start line, being able to pull 3 strings and stretch away. Rutland led at the top mark followed by Sail 4 Cancer and Union Rose. However, both these boats had a couple of errors to let ChameleonI through to second place- another race just behind Rutland.
The final race definitely delivered breezier conditions with big rigs inverting upwind and some more "interesting" bearaways at the top mark. ChameleonI had much better pace to stay with the pack and after a swim from both Sail 4 Cancer and Union Rose, they were once again right on the transom of Rutland. However, some choice tacks and boat placement meant Rutland squeezed away to take the win in an exciting end to the weekend.
Rutland had a great weekend taking a bullet away from every race and ChameleonI consistently coming second. Alot was learnt by the rest of the fleet, who are sure to be in the mix in the coming events.
The fleet would like to thank TeamO for sponsoring this weekend's event and the volunteer team for getting the full schedule of races off over the two days.
Find Results Here
There's now a 4 week break before the next event in the Solent where the UK fleet will welcome European teams for Round 2 of the 2018 European Grand Prix (17th to 20th May). Round 3 of the Solent Grand Prix Series will be after on the 21st and 22nd July. To get involved, email grandprix@uk18footer.org.
18' Skiff Sailing
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