The Royal Southern Yacht Club's September Regatta played host to Round Five of the 31 Race Circuit, delivering a spectacular weekend of competitive sailing that truly tested the mettle of the 20 Cape 31 teams in attendance. Flying Jenny secured their second overall win of the 2023 Race Circuit, climbing their way up the overall standings.
The weekend's racing showcased a diverse range of weather conditions. Friday witnessed a sunny start, accompanied by 8-12 knots of wind from the South East. The Dutch team, Motions, swiftly claimed victory in the first race, setting the tone for the day. Simon Perry's Jiraffe secured their maiden race win of the Race Circuit in the second race, while Flying Jenny clinched the final race of the day.
Saturday's forecast mirrored Friday's conditions, but upon reaching the racecourse, it became evident that the expected breeze failed to materialize. Race Officer Ian Bullock made the prudent decision to bring the teams ashore, where they enjoyed the warm hospitality of the Royal Southern Yacht Club, complete with live music, great food, and splendid weather.
Sunday, however, brought an abrupt end to British Summer, as intense winds, thunderstorms, and lightning took centre stage. The race team faced a daunting task of squeezing in three races amidst the unpredictable weather, but they managed to rise to the occasion. Nick Phillip's team on Chaotic navigated the chaotic conditions masterfully, clinching victory in races one and two, while Bertie Bicket's Fargo triumphed in the final race of the day.
The overall champion of the regatta emerged as Sandy Askew's Flying Jenny, who showcased exceptional consistency throughout the competition. By discarding an eighth-place finish, they were left with a remarkable scorecard of firsts and seconds. The podium was completed by Bartholomew's Tokoloshe in second place and Nick Phillip's Chaotic in a well-deserved third place. In the Corinthian section, Lennard van Oeveren's Motions emerged victorious, closely followed by Dan O'Grady's Aja and David Cummin's Flurg.
With the conclusion of this thrilling event, all eyes are now on the exciting finale, set to take place in a few weeks at the Royal Yacht Squadron. As the discard for the overall series comes into play, several teams are in contention for the coveted title of the 31 Race Circuit's overall winner, promising an exhilarating showdown.
Thank you to the Royal Southern Yacht Club for hosting and to our Race Circuit/Class Partners North Sails, Doyle Sails, Quantum Sails, Peters and May, B&G, Harken, Mount Gay, Ocean Art, Kustom Koatings and Hamble Yacht Services.