News - 2013

12:07 Wednesday 7 Aug 2013 Rupert Holmes/CWLCompetitive racing in a light to moderate north-easterly wind.

Today the big Black Group yachts are racing to the east of the Solent. Photo: Rick Tomlinson/CWL

After a lack of wind yesterday forced all racing to be abandoned, the starts have so far got away without a hitch today. Although the wind dropped to less than 5 knots at breakfast time, around the time of the J/70 start at 1015 it was back to a north-easterly of 7-11 knots in the central Solent, although shifting through 20 degrees. At the same time, it was looking more likely that the cloud would persist through the day, reducing the threat of an embryonic sea breeze cancelling out the gradient wind this afternoon.

By 1130 the wind was up to 12-14 knots and had settled at around 060, giving excellent racing. White Group starts are to the east from the Royal Yacht Squadron line – as with most days this week, with a strong west-going tide inshore, although the early starters were able to hook into the remains of the main east-going stream in the deep water further offshore.

A lot of boats in both Black and White Groups have started prematurely this morning, but so far the Sunsail F40 class is the only one that was subject to a general recall. The largest yachts in Black Group are starting from a committee boat start off Bembridge to the east of the Isle of Wight, where there has been a perfect steady 14-15 knots of wind all morning. The smaller Black Group yachts that are starting on the Bramble line are expected to finish on the Royal Yacht Squadron line from a little after 1300 onwards, while the first White Group competitors are expected at the same time on the Shrape line.