Hamble Winter Series - week 1

October 8-9

The first weekend saw 3 LCSC boats out on the water: High Tension (Geraldine Fabre), Doris J (Shaun Curran) and Jumping Jellyfish (David Harrison). Saturday was a fabulous day to be on the water: sunshine, 20+ knots of breeze and calm seas (at least at the start of the day).

All boats set out from Port Hamble Marina between 8:30 and 11 (don't ask, but one had a late departure). Peter Hopps split his coaching time between Doris J and High Tension. Jumping Jellyfish (aka: JJF) headed out to run thru the paces and clear the cobwebs on their own.

The wind kicked up a bit mid-afternoon, 25-28 knots, and with that came some sea state. It made for excellent sailing. High Tension and Doris J had a short match race, as JJF simply stayed out and played in the wind. All boats were tucked up in their berths by 4-5pm (in time to watch the football).

In true LCSC Winter Series style, the home cooked meals were done with style. JJF and Doris J were treated to wonderful dinners, however High Tension took the 'Chef' award this week. Their crew was treated to a 5 course dinner, very impressive (and it kept them out of the pub). The standard has been set at a very high level.

Sunday morning arrived much too early for some of us (seems Doris J is boasting to have been hang-over free). Fog had settled over the marina, and the flags were not exactly flying high.

We all set off early, with JJF out first at 8:15. The fog lifted and the day presented itself with clear skies, loads of sunshine and no wind!! The fleet then spent the next 3 and a half hours waiting, for wind. Floating about the Solent, JJF listened to the radio (music that is), passed Doris J for a quick 'Good Morning' and saw several other 'friends' as well. We spotted High Tension off in the distance, sails up willing the wind to join the fleet. Alas, no wind arrived and at noon (2 hours after what should have been the first start) racing was abandoned for the day. Most boats went full speed towards Southampton River.

Doris J opted not to join the Armada, but instead had a very pleasant afternoon on the water. They had a nice lunch motoring down the eastern Solent, followed by an even nicer kite reach (14 knots true wind) back to the Hamble. Hmmmmm, perhaps the rest of us should have stayed out as well!!

So, end of weekend one: training full of learning and clearing cobwebs; great sailing conditions on Saturday; standards set for Saturday meal-time on all boats; all LCSC boats are tied in the series. The best though, meeting so many LCSC sailors in Port Hamble!!

It was terrific to be home early on a Sunday and not exhausted, however I think we all would have much preferred a race!!

Penny Pariso

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