High winds at the Southern Championship

26–28 May 2007

Report by Thom Hewitt

In a regatta which was drastically shortened by the weather Presto retained the title of Southern Area champions at Seaview yacht club on the Isle of Wight. Only four races were possible over two days as the third day was lost due to high winds.

Eight Sonatas were at the start on Saturday lunchtime for the first of three two-lap windward/leeward races. John Waters and Presto took race one from Kevin Cross’ Selene and John Putt’s Piccolo. In the second race the first two places were reversed, and Selene then made it two wins in a row, again followed by Presto, with Tom White’s Pizzicato getting the third gun this time.

In contrast with the fair winds and blue skies of Saturday, Sunday served up rain and a stiff easterly breeze which made for hard work in the lumpy seas. The day’s racing was abandoned after one race. Presto won, and a fifth place for Selene meant that with no further racing possible Presto were once again Southern Area champions. Selene finished second overall and Piccolo third, Pizzicato’s second place in the last race was not quite enough to get them into the top three.

Final results