We had another successful year’s racing around the Solent with over 30 boats participating, ranging from 16ft ‘Miss Ningi' to 57ft 'Kelpie’!

 

The season started with Cowes Spring Classics in May, where 8 gaffers raced in light winds and sunshine. Charlie Couture’s ‘Wave’ joined us from Guernsey and promptly showed the locals how it’s done, winning all 4 races. 'Satellite' had to settle for second place and 'Charm' took third.

 

Two weeks later it was Yarmouth Gaffers Regatta, and perfect Solent sailing conditions. ‘Ivy Green’ squeezed ahead of ‘Hester’ by the thinnest of margins in Friday’s Gaffel Race. On the Saturday, 14 boats were out for a lap of the Western Solent. ‘Ivy Green’ took line honours and class 1, with ’Satellite’ claiming class 2 and the baby Fife ‘Uandi’ leading class 3.

 

Cowes Classics Week in July was a windy affair, with Ossie Stewart’s ‘Dorothy’ claiming all the wins, followed by ’Spinaway X’ and ‘Mincarlo’.

 

Hamble Classics was in late August this year. Again a newcomer turned up and showed the regulars how to sail. This time it was Simon Williams’ ’Sheila’, a hundred year old 6-metre, now gaff rigged, who took the wins, holding ‘Dorothy’ to second and ’Satellite’ to third.

 

On to September and it’s our Annual Race and Rally. The forecast was for more sunshine, but no wind.14 boats motored round to Osborne Bay anyway and were rewarded with beautiful conditions for a short race while the wind held. ’Nomad’ and ‘Ivy Green’ fought it out for line honours, but were soundly beaten by ’Satellite’ on corrected time.

 

The final event of the year is always the Centenary Chase pursuit race at Yarmouth. The ratings between Bermudan and Gaffers didn’t quite work this year, but Ed Rice in ‘Hester’ lead the gaffers home in style.

 

Putting all of that together lead to a tight result at the top of the Summer Series results, with ’Satellite’ doing just enough to hold off ‘Ivy Green’ and claim the Commodore prize. Congratulations to Sue and David Pennison!

 

We hope to see more of you out next year.