John Corden and Anne Merryweather’s local boat, Fresh Herring (pictured left), convincingly won last weekend’s first two races of the Contessa 32 Inshore Series hosted by the Royal Lymington Yacht Club.

John McCann’s Cosantes and Rouse/Vanner/Richards’ Blanco were second and third respectively, with Contessa Catherine fourth and last year’s Cowes Week and Black Group winner, South Haze, fifth.

Sailing in the Western Solent, both days’ races were affected by a variable wind boxing the compass, in-coming sea breezes and strong ebb tides. Local knowledge may have helped but Fresh Herring was consistent and fast and already looks likely to challenge South Haze’s leading mantle from last year. South Haze, with changes in her crew from last season, is evidently working up.

Mid fleet racing proved as competitive as ever with special mention going to Carisma who, despite being two-up, not using a spinnaker and kedging, was still in touch with the fleet at the finish.

The Contessa 32s next visit the Western Solent as guests of the Royal Solent at Yarmouth on the weekend of 25-26 May.