The clubhouse of the Hamble River Sailing Club was bulging at the seams with guests on Saturday evening, when the prizegiving for the Hamble Winter Series took place.

With a total of 275 entries, the 25th Winter Series had been as popular as ever, and the prizegiving had a suitable air of celebration about it.

Garmin’s jovial UK Sales Manager, Rich Thoroughgood, handed a huge number of prizes to the top three boats in the 13 classes that took part in the main series, in addition to the top boats in the Big Boat Series and Autumn Championships. Also, the annual trophies for the Yacht of the Year and Sportsboat of the Year were presented to Stewart Hawthorn, skipper of the J/133Jumpand James Fox, the helmsman of the Laser SB3Royal Thames Lucky Lady.

Cheques were presented by HRSC commodore Peggy Dorothy to the Hamble Inshore Lifeboat, the John Merricks Trust and Sail for Cancer from the proceeds of the Charity Pursuit Race.