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HYS Hamble Winter Series 2020 - Prize Giving

Published 17:39 on 24 Mar 2021

Having finally sucumbed to the seond lockdown, after a four month delay the results of the HYS Hamble Winter Series remain unchanged from the postion of the at the end of the first four weeks. And so, onto the prize giving. In non covid times, everyone piles into the HRSC Clubhouse, has a little bit to drink and the Commodore presents with a hug or a kiss as appropriate. Not so in 2021, when the prizes had to go out and find the winners. Fortunately, the three IRC Class winners and thier yachts could all be found within a few hundred yards of the clubhouse.

IRC Class 1 was nothing less than a Millfest this year with the Irish based designers' boats filling the top three places in the class. It is perhaps unsurprising that Mark Mill's designs go well in the Solent, as he studied Yacht Design att the Solent University, or the ''Southampton Institute'' as it was known then. The third was Rob Botttomley's Matt 12, Sailplane with 12 points. Just two points better offf in the second was the last year's class winner, ICY, the Melges IC37 of Ian Akins. Out in front with the whole series of bullets was Tokoloshe 3, David Bartholomew's new Cape 31. So slippery was this little skimming dish that it even won on the water against the forty footers, except for one 13 second line of honors loss to ICY. So to complete was it's victory that Tokoloshe 3 was also awarded 2020 Yacht of the Series and despite its not so big lengh, 2020 Hamble BIg Boat Champion. Just when the members of IRC Class 1 thought things could not get any worse, I am reliably informed, that there will be eight Cape 31's racing in the solent by July 2021. You have been warned.

IRC Class 2 was dominated by J-Boats once again. The winner was Jago, the J109 of Mike & Susie Yates. They pushed thier nemesis, Jiraffe J109, Simon Perry back into second place this year and in doing so won the Paul Heys Trophy for the best performing J-Boat. SImon it seems was so upset that he has sold Jiraffe and is one of the new Cape 31 owners. Tigris, the J88 of Gavin Howe, came third in this competitive class.

Gr8 Banter, the Mustang 30 MK 2, of Ian Handley and TIm James won the IRC Class 3. This family owned and sailed partnership is crewed by thier kids, though, I understand the kids are really adults now. Gr8 Banter pipped Quokka 9, the Half Tonner of Peter Rutter and James Crew by one point.. Third Place was secured by David Greenhalgh in the J92, J'romimo.

Prizes for the other places will be distributed or can be collected when the Government roadmap allows.

This year's Hamble WInter Series, which kicks off on the weekend of the 2nd& 3rd of Octboer will be 40th running this popular event. Lets hope that we are able to celebrate this achievement wiht one or two old time sailign club parites.

Trevor Pountain.