Hunter 707 crews experienced their first bite of winter this weekend as they cautiously boarded their ice-decked boats for the two more races in the Hamble Winter Series.

With the forecast for Force 1-2 the race committee wisely set a two-round course for the first race. Charlie Fish had a clear start at the committee boat end and Doh! did well at the pin end. Doh! led Charlie Fish round the windward mark and spreader, with Giraffe in third. Charlie Fish chased Doh! down the run and by the leeward mark were in front, with Pocket Battleship having moved up to third. Doh! didn’t give up but despite all their efforts couldn’t get past Charlie Fish and the front three finished in this order.

After a general recall, the second race got away at the second attempt. At the windward mark Royal Thames were in the lead, followed by Charlie Fish and Darkness. On the run, positions changed with Darkness gybing later than the first two and taking the lead around the leeward mark. Positions stayed the same until the final beat to Bald Head when variable wind meant that the lead changed hands several times, with Darkness, Doh! and Charlie Fish all looking like they could win at some point.

Having slipped back a little, Darkness was forced to tack into the beach after being lee-bowed by Doh! but they won out in the end as the inshore breeze held and enabled them to get back in front of their rivals.