For the 3^rd weekend of racing in the Raymarine Warsash Spring Series on 1^st April the north-easterly wind started in the 16-18 knot range, sometimes dropping in the shelter of the mainland shore to as low as 11/12 knots, before strengthening to 28 knots (with gusts up to 37 knots!) by the afternoon. The weather was overcast and murky initially with spots of rain but the skies soon cleared and crews managed to achieve the basis of their sailing suntan/windburn for the season.

This weekend saw a total of ten yacht club members out on 3 boats in the 707 fleet; 5 on the LLYC 707 Showtime, 4 on Censored! And 1 on Sword!  For the second weekend in a row, there were 3 races planned - this is quite tough and more than tiring - especially when the wind increases for the final race!

Bizarrely, we started the first race on time as for once the SB3's, which start directly ahead of us, managed to get away completely clean - it is becoming a little bit of a standing joke that this is a very rare occurrence - the fleet is rather competitive and therefore a push for the line is always interesting to say the least!

The 707 start was a fairly close affair with half of the fleet tacking immediately after the start whilst the others headed into the shore.  With three laps of the course to complete, and everything to play for, there was a lot of concentration going on!  There were several changes to the lead during the race, but we finished with Sword in 2^nd place, Censored! in 5^th and Showtime in 9^th.

Heading back for the next start, and with an increasing breeze, we were soon off for the second race which again consisted of 3 laps.  Again, the racing was fairly close and we finished with Sword 1^st, Censored! In 5^th (although we were sure that we were 4^th as we had at least ½ a boat length over Scaramouche) and Showtime in 10^th. 

By now the white caps on the water were indicative of the strengthening wind.  Four boats took the decision not to race, but the foolhardy amongst us decided to stay out and give the racing a try!  Watching for gusts was quite hard by now, and on the first lap, we all decided to hoist our spinnakers, but on the second only Sword and This is Jeff were brave enough (although by the end of the race, there was only 4 minutes between 1^st and 5^th place!)  while the rest of us trucked along quite nicely under white sails.  The final beat saw some of the largest gusts of the day - the largest of which knocked us reasonably flat, and whilst trying to throw all of our weight over the side, realised that the 707's still sail fairly well on their gunwales!   Results for the third race were Sword in second, Showtime in 4^th and consistently, Censored! In 5^th.

With 4 races to go, the series results are Sword in first place (27 points), Censored! In second place (42 points) and Showtime (soon to be re-named Lutine Belle) in 8th place with 91 points.

Warsash Sailing Club now takes a break over Easter and reconvenes for the first weekend of the Spring Championship for sportsboats on Saturday 14^th April with the Raymarine Warsash Spring Series continuing on Sunday 15^th April.

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