The 18 footers returned to the Solent yesterday for Round 3 of their UK Grand Prix series, based at the Calshot Activities Centre, with the organisation in the capable hands of the Royal Thames Yacht Club’s chief sailing officer Malcolm McKeag. With Frank Newton acting as race officer, everything went very smoothly indeed.

The morning’s forecast for the Solent area predicted “winds will be mostly gentle north-westerly” but, with an hour to go to the scheduled start time for the first race, even the word gentle was something of an overstatement. Fortunately, a breeze began to develop, and by the time the fleet was sent afloat for a delayed start it was enough to have most teams two wiring.

Charles Tavner, Ed Clay and Jonathan Finn on Renewable Energy found the best route up the first beat, and looked like staying away until they were caught by Rob Dulson, Paul Constable and Alec McKinlay on Base 1, who then held on to win. Alex Tobutt, Stuart Appleby and Henry Clarke finished third on Magic Marine.

There was a little more breeze for Race 2, and Ed Browne, Mark Tait and Lachlan Torrance on Hermes won it well from Base 1, with Renewable Energy in third place.

By Race 3 the breeze had built sufficiently for three wiring, and there was an excellent battle between Hermes and Base1. The lead changed hands on two or three occasions, but it was the Hermes team that was ahead at the finishing line. Jon Bennett, Andy Jeffries and Nick Jerkins took third position.

At the end of the first day, Base 1 led by a single point from Hermes, with Renewable Energy in third spot.

Results

(after 3 races, no discard)

1. Base 1 Rob Dulson, Paul Constable and Alec McKinlay, 5 points

2. Hermes Ed Browne, Mark Tait and Lachlan Torrance, 6 points

3. Renewable Energy Charles Tavner, Ed Clay and Jonathan Finn, 10 points

4. Magic Marine Alex Tobutt, Stuart Appleby and Henry Clarke, 12 points

5. Computacenter Jon Bennett, Andy Jeffries and Nick Jerkins, 12 points