After a windy first race to Cherbourg the omens looked promising for a more relaxed follow-up race to Weymouth (actually Portland harbour) where we might get familiar with the new boat, her sail controls and instruments. The forecast was for predominantly SW winds in the range 10-15 knots but with lighter winds at either end of the day. As usual, JOG had organised a get-together for all crews and our main concern was getting there before the wind dropped and they stopped serving food at 21:30.
The race started off Cowes green as usual. Our start was at 10:10. The tide was going east so the fleet bunched on the inshore end of the line and short-tacked up the island shore. It took us half an hour before we were tacking smoothly and an hour to get to Gurnard!
Our start was safe without being over-cautious and we set about tacking up to Hurst. Already it was windier than forecast but it was nearly 13:00 before we reached Hurst.
By the time we were through the Needles channel it was clear that the forecast had underestimated – we had 15 to 20 knots or more, now with wind against tide and a very lumpy sea. We had made some progress on the fleet from Yarmouth through the Needles Channel.
We stood out to sea with the majority of the fleet, planning to tack inshore to somewhere near St Albans Head in readiness for a forecast wind shift to NW.
After a tack or two we actually ended up inshore near Ringstead where the wind picked up a notch and we considered a reef, however, after struggling to sort out the mast gate the wind was now dropping. The wind started shifting quite dramatically as we made the final close reach across Weymouth Bay and through the north entrance of Portland harbour. The JOG team had sportingly located the finish line close to the marina in the far corner of the harbour.
Once alongside we rapidly packed up and made for the reception and well-earned chilli and chips. The return the next day gave us perfect 10 knot winds and sunshine!
The result
| IRC Overall | IRC 3 |
| 64/70 finishers with 8 retired | 27/28 finishers with 2 retired |