Aquila take North the Southern Rose Bowl
Published 11:15 on 27 Jun 2025
Sonata Southern Championships
Royal Southern Yacht Club
21st and 22nd June 2025
With winter on Windermere seeming like a distant memory, we decided to take Aquila south for the Sonata Southern Championships at the Royal Southern Yacht Club. As the venue for the 2026 50th Anniversary Sonata Nationals, it was also an opportunity to check out the facilities.
An early start from the North West and we arrived in Hamble at about lunchtime. Confidently following the satnav, we turned off the high street to be faced with a narrow chicane, a house on one side and a high kerb on the other - Aquila was in danger of becoming firmly stuck. Clearly not the first boat to do this, the owner of the adjacent café nonchalantly came out to offer his advice. Some delicate manoeuvrings saw us free to continue, but only as far as the left turn to the Royal Southern Yacht Club. Once again stuck, the processions of cars following had to wait whilst we edged cautiously around the corner. Worth considering your route into RSYC for the those looking to attend the 2026 Nationals!
We launched using the yacht club's excellent crane, successfully testing the newly fitted single point lift eye. Whilst launching was quick and easy, it was not cheap and space both on the approach and on the boat park is limited. If you're thinking of doing the Nationals next year, my advice would be to consider launching elsewhere and motoring round to the River Hamble.
Unfortunately, only 4 boats had entered the event, a real shame given the excellent venue and the high standard of race management.
Saturday morning was sunny and breezy, wind SE around 10-17 knots. Heading out to the starting area we struggled to make headway against the incoming tide and stiff headwind. As we got closer to the start time, our headsail choice was starting to look questionable in a building breeze; 10mins to the start, we took the decision taken to change to the No 2. Whilst the right decision on paper, in amongst the flapping sails, we missed the announcement from the race officer which would probably have informed us that our course was different to the J70 class which had started a few minutes previously.
Off the start line, Aquila and Pintsize (Michael Goodwin) led out to the left side of the course. Aquila rounded the red racing mark first, closely followed by Pintsize. No Retreat! (Mike Heffer) and Jive (Mark Waddington) continued to windward. A few minutes passed before it became apparent to us that the Sonata course was different to the J70 course, the windward mark was green and about 0.25miles further up wind. No Retreat! now held a considerable lead, Jive in second, Pintsize third and Aquila last.
With the tables turned, Aquila managed to climb back to second, Jive finished third, and Pintsize fourth. No Retreat! finished with a comfortable lead. Races 2 and 3 followed with much less drama and followed a fairly steady order of Aquila, No Retreat! and Pintsize. With the wind increasing, Jive retired from Race 2 and retired for the day. Post race analysis revealed that No Retreat! were hanging onto the No 1 in gusts over 20knots whereas Aquila with a class No 2 had a clear VMG advantage.
The forecast for Sunday was looking fairly tasty. NW 16 to 19 knots at 10am but forecast to build to 25 knots plus by lunchtime. Once again, four boats made it to the start line. Race 4 started in 19 gusting 22 knots, leading to some fairly exciting spinnaker legs and the occasional broach and wrapped spinnaker, leading to Jive's retirement. Once again, Aquila took the advantage over No Retreat!, who were still holding on to their No 1. The racing was close with tactics playing into a few lead changes.
After consulting the competitors, it was decided to go ahead with Race 5 in some fairly boisterous conditions, the wind was regularly gusting up to 25 knots. By this point, the headsail choice was unanimous, No 3's all round. In the final race, nerves were showing as boats hesitated in hoisting their kites, but in the end everybody gave it a go. Aquila again led around the course, but their advantage was less clear in the strengthening breeze and the fleet were close up the first beat. Unfortunately, No Retreat! broke their rudder close to the windward mark and were forced to retire, securing 2nd place for Pintsize.
The decision was made to abandon sailing for the day. All boats made it ashore safety and Aquila was delighted to receive the Sonata Rose Bowl for the Southern Championships.
A big thankyou to Royal Southern YC for hosting such a well-run event. Next stop Weymouth.
Nick Holt, Aquila
Related
- 2025 Sonata Southern Championships (21 - 22 June)
- 50th Sonata National Championship (9 - 13 August 2026)
- 2025 Sonata National Championships (24 - 27 August)
Last updated 11:27 on 27 June 2025
