South East Region Sets Sail!

The inaugural South East sailing day on Southampton Water was a roaring success. In brilliant 24ºC sunshine the assembled mariners enjoyed a relaxing breakfast on board one of the yachts – both Beneteau First 40.7 - before the day's racing began.
A practice session in the morning set the tone of the competition, with both teams sending out statements of intent as they sailed away from the pontoon and jostled for position. With stronger winds anticipated in the afternoon, the teams headed out to the Solent ahead of the three match races. Lancelot, crewed by Willerby Landscapes, took an early lead in race one and subsequently led all the way to the finish. After some slick kite work and heart-stopping rounding of the buoys, Profile, with a crew of nine including fbe London Branch chairman, Neil Surtees, maintained their lead and were victorious
in race two. With the scores at one a piece, it was all to play for in race three, a pursuit race with white sails only. As the fleet rounded Calshot Spit they were neck and neck but once into Southampton Water, Profile managed to edge away, crossing the finish line at the entrance to the Hamble River by three boat lengths. Exhausted crews dropped the sails and finished the day with tea, cakes and prize-giving.