International News

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.

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UK Solent Grand Prix Series - Round 1 Sponsored by Gold sails

This weekend was the first round of the Solent Grand Prix Series for the U.K. 18ft Skiff fleet. The boats that recently competed in the JJ are still in transit, so a compact fleet met to race the first weekend at Calshot.

Day 1

It didn’t feel like summer had started yet as the crews rigged in some pretty miserable rain and many crews huddled round phones checking all possible forecasts. Forecast suggested that the wind would increase and be a little more gusty, but quite how much by was unsure. Most of the fleet plugged in the number two, The Green Skiff being the only boat who went with the number one.

As the fleet launched, there were many discussions on the little rig boats thinking they’d got it wrong. But as the race committee got into sequence, the breeze cranked up a notch, putting the wind range very much in the cross over of the two rigs. This year’s racing is being entirely run by the class, so it was good to see a course set by a well oiled race team.

The first race got off in a North Westerly up to a windward mark near Calshot spit. The Green Skiff were holding on to their big rig until their internal main sheet system failed and took them out of contention. ChameleonI led Sail 4 Cancer and Union Rose at the top Mark and all three boats over stood the lay and needed the press quite hard to get up to the Leeward mark, all dropping kites early. The second lap spread out the fleet in the same order and ChameleonI took the win.

The fleet was a little more line shy in the second race, but got away in some fresh breeze. The wind had shifted, allowing a much longer beat and allowed more gybing down the kite runs. A bit of fatigue led to a couple of capsizes for Union Rose who dropped off the pace. The new team of Sail 4 Cancer keep the pressure on ChameleonI but couldn’t get in front before crossing the line. The race committee ended the day there to head back for shore. Teams had a quick derig and chat over beers supplied by the weekend’s sponsor, Gold Sails.

Day 2

It was known that the forecast wouldn’t produce much wind, if at all, for the second day of racing. This meant most of the fleet had enjoyed a few more beers than usual and were feeling a little delicate.

As the fleet arrived, there was a nice 6 knots that could make for an interesting tactical day and perfect to try out a new long distance format. Unfortunately the forecasted suggested this wind would drop off by 11.30 and so when the wind shut off completely as planned, the race committee took the decision to abandon racing for the weekend.

This weekend was a huge step for the U.K. fleet. A busy winter of organising the series came together and the whole fleet is incredibly pumped for the potential this season can bring. It promises to be an exciting event throughout the year with the addition of the JJ container and the interest from others joining the fleet. A special mention to Luke and Ben for the first weekend racing in an 18 - definitely a pair to watch through this season!

Find Results Here

Round 2 of the Solent Grand Prix Series will be in a few weeks time on the 21st and 22nd April. To get involved, email grandprix@uk18footer.org.