Wow what a start to the Winter series, A perfect North Westerly around 8 knots with a few stronger gusts, and we have 10 happy skippers, Tim Hand and Colin Helliwell got the course sorted with the help of Stuart Jessup, who was unable to race, for one reason or another, and not forgetting Roger Bowtle who always gets the kit out early. The course being on the South bank, it was a perfect full length beat and run, Briefing bang on time and we were away. I have to say at this point we could have had a much bigger fleet but some clashes were evident that affected numbers, and quite easily we could have had 15 out , But hey ho.

Mick C 46 fast out of the blocks after his disastrous day at the ranking the day before, 18th I am told ,and he took the bullet with ease with Dave R 57 the Summer series champion coming home in second and Tim H 44 in third. Mick C 46 then went on to win the first 5 races on the bounce, and the boat seemed to have the perfect set up for the conditions. Chris E 74 back from a long lay off could not get the Brit Pop going like he usually does. Chris G 11 was sailing well still wearing shorts , and others were having some good races, but today it was the Venti that showed a clean pair of heels winning 7 of the 11 races, Tim H 44 took second position and Dave R 57 followed through in third, there was just a little bit of nonsense at the weather mark in race 10 when things got a little heated between two skippers, Luckily another skipper calmed things down and after hearing the evidence from both, and unable to sort due to time restrictions awarded a yellow card to one skipper. both shook hands and agreed to fight it out in two weeks time, for round two of this , whats looks to be , a great series to be a part of.

Tim thanked everybody for there help in the groups Whats App page in setting up and putting away, but as we stand at the moment Mick C with his Venti is at the top of the pile. and he intends to stay there as long as he can.

My thanks to everyone who came and made it a great mornings racing