The surprise decision of Trinity House to remove one of the main navigation buoys in the Eastern Solent on Sunday (24 March) caused confusion for yachts racing in the Barclays Marine Finance Warsash Spring Series.

The Trinity House barge appeared to be equally surprised that yachts would be out in the Solent using the South East Ryde Middle mark as they moved in to lift the buoy which marks the Bramble Bank. The Warsash Sailing Club Race Committee moved their launch beyond the mark so that boats did not interfere with the work on the Trinity House barge.

A fishing vessel also seemed unaware that yachts would be out in the Solent when it raised its welk pots from under the White Group Committee Boat, lifting the boat’s anchor as it attempted the start the races.

Despite the problems with marks and welk pots, the 200 boats out on the Solent had an excellent day’s racing in ideal conditions. The Spring sunshine made for pleasant conditions while a steady Force 3 meant ideal sailing, with close racing particularly in the one-design classes.

As is almost traditional, the Hunter 707s needed a general recall for the first race. Too many starters were over the line at the start to identify, but with a Flag Z flying threatening disqualification of offenders the 29 starters got away cleanly next time. Black Sheep took top position for the two races of the day. The Sweeney, skippered by Charles Wheelan, took the wrong course for the first race, but in the second came in 11 seconds behind Black Sheep.

The 707s are the largest class in the Series, but the Cork 1720s are also proving increasingly popular. North Star, skippered by Johnny Richards won both races in the 15 strong fleet.

At the other end of the size range, battle continued in the IRM class between the Far 40s and Kerr 11.3s. In the first race of the day, Assegai, Chris Hunt and Leon Christianakis’ Farr 40, won the first race ahead of John Shepherd’s Kerr, Fair Do’s. In the second run the positions were reversed.

In the IRC Division 2 Fandango, skippered by David Scanlan took the gun, ahead of Chris Brown’s Fastwave II. Third place went to last week’s winner, Jim McGregor’s Triple with a Flair. In Division 3 Tim Harrington in Capitalism went one better than last week to win the race. In IRC Division 4 Jackie Welch took the gun in Effusion 29 seconds ahead of Puple Haze and a minute before Olivia Anne VI.

Results (Provisional)

Day 2, Series Race 3

Class IRM

1 40 ASSEGAI Chris Hunt/ Leon Christianakis

2 1106L FAIR DO’S John Shepherd

3 1640R TOO STEAMY Nick & Anne Haigh

Class IRC Div 1

1 9536R THUNDER 27287 Robert Boulter

2 940 EXABYTE 2 Shaun Frohlich

3 7000 KIRRIBILLI Douglas Flynn

Class IRC Div 2

1 6693T FANDANGO David Scanlan

2 2 FASTWAVE II Chris Brown

3 1404R TRIPLE A WITH FLAIR Jim Macgregor

Class IRC Div 3

1 9359R CAPITALISM Tim Harrington

2 7824 BUMP IN THE NIGHT Duncan Morris

3 3709 PRIME CUT Peter Parker

Class IRC Div 4

1 8295T EFFUSION Jackie Welch

2 7070 PURPLE HAZE Tony Dodd

3 3416 OLIVIA ANNE VI Derek Morland

Class Sigma 38

1 8352 MEFISTO Kevin Sussmilch

2 8367 RED ARROW RAF Sailing Association

3 3800T FLYING FORMULA Penny Haire

Class Sigma 33

1 4830 SUMMATION Tim Wright

2 4590 JUPA Julian Spencer-Smith

3 4395 BOOZEROO Richard Butler

Class X332

1 1338R X-FACTOR Russell Hodgson

2 7357T RECKLESS RAT Thomas Peters

3 9398R CARABISTOUILLES 2 Edouard Wylleman

Class Bowsprit

1 9791R JUST ANOTHER CUNNING PLAN Robert Davis

2 1605R JUNEAU Michael & Sarah Wallis

3 9524R JOS OF HAMBLE Roger Williams

Class Cork 1720

1 1721 NORTH STAR Johnny Richards

2 1710L G & T avid Greenhalgh/ John Taylor