The Lymington Town Annual Charity Pursuit Race in aid of Children in Need and Oakhaven Hospice took place on Sunday 14 November.

The day dawned brilliantly but with not a breath of wind. The 30 or so expected competitors began to find other things to do as there seemed little hope of the race taking place. Race Officer Joe Blachford first gave a 30 minute postponement as the wind doubled from half to one knot but eventually had to admit the race could not go ahead.

Instead a one start handicap race was organised and ten dinghies made the start line. As the starting sequence began the wind again faded leaving all but the two fast fleet boats struggling to get to the line. At the gun Red Kite sailed by Ian Blundell and Peter Barker got swept the wrong side of Baverstock and retired to take a cruise towards Keyhaven. Meanwhile Peter Conway and Ginny Harvey in Hairy Biscuit led around the windward mark heading the fast boats.

Leading the medium fleet the 420s of Robbie Claridge and Robyn Stock were not far behind. In a fitful and fluky wind on the two downwind legs the Blazes of Paul Taylor and David Angwin visitors from Burghfield Sailing Club made up for their poor start and slipped through to second and third behind Claridge.

Nearing the finish Conway missed the finishing mark and sailed another lap letting Nigel Walbank’s RS700 sail through to win the Trophy.

This event raised money to be divided between the BBC Children in Need Appeal and Oakhaven Hospice.

Overall Results

Fast handicap

1, Looney (RS700) Nigel Walbank

2, Hairy Biscuit (Int 14) Peter Conway and Ginny Harvey

Medium handicap

1, Tsunami (420) Robbie Claridge and Jas Husband

2, Blaze 654 Paul Taylor

3, Red Devil (Stratos) Mike Beggs and Nick Fagan