With a scary forecast and leaden grey skies, 10 Laser SB3s entered the first Royal Southern YC monthly sportsboat regatta of 2003.

The SB3s have their own class start (and for the series) and sailed short, predominantly upwind downwind courses. The combination of laid marks and Solent racing marks proved a challenge for some.

Paul Bayliss, helming Stuart Hawthorn’s Wee Jamarama was quick off the line in all three races, but did not have it all their own way. Conditions varied from a little downwind soaking to full on planing. As the day progressed, the wipeouts multiplied until the last run of the last race. There almost everyone either wiped out or managed to get the kite down as the hooner hit them arriving at the bottom mark.

Beating the half mile back to the finish was as hairy as it gets, dodging the fleet of out of control 707s submarining in the opposite direction.

Apart from the Hawthorne/Bayliss roadshow, other performances of note were: The new Gul-sponsored boat, a solid performance to take second on the day. The Fatima Blush lightweights obviously flew downwind to take third. In fourth, breathless and very busy, was Rich Beaman, all the way from St Mawes in Cornwall, and sailing two up.

Sunday was gonged off with a very big day forecast.

Overall Results

1st 3014, Wee Jamarama

2nd 3053, Gul

3rd 3036, Fatima Blush

4th 3026, Cardinal Puff

5th 3028, Bandit

6th 3010, Stress Bunny

7th 3051, J Fawcett

8th 3021, Va Va Voom

9th 3027, Smee Agen

10th 3035, Sublime