Hunter 707 Nationals at Royal Southern Yacht Club Overall

An excellent three day National Championship, hosted by the Royal Southern Yacht Club went to the wire... 3 points separating the top three boats after eight closely competed races on a variety of Solent Based courses.

Congratulations go to Vince Hayter and his Hamble based crew on Crazy Horses for their victory over a fleet of 51 707’s, which enjoyed spectacular racing with winds ranging from 5 to 30 plus knots.

Off the water... Rum Punch, Champagne, Parties and Prizes were the order the day - thanks to the hosting yacht club and event sponsors : Danebury Vineyard, Mount Gay Rum, Harken and Pig Bags.

The conditions were always going to be demanding on the Saturday with a changeable forecast - a weak low pressure system was passing through the central channel causing winds to be south easterly and variable. Mixed with poor visibility and rain the CRO had his work cut out to ensure the fleet of 51 competed on a even basis. The wind faded during the second race and it was a firm and correct choice to defer the third until later in the Championship. The Sataurday evening was spent savouring the delights of Mount Gay and despite the rain, the rum punch livened up the evening.

On Sunday we thought we were back in Cowes Week... the committee boat registered 35 knots and many of the boats would have touched half of that on some of the downwind reaches. The Royal Southern decided on round the cans following Saturday's windward leewards but mainly because they would have struggled to lay inflatable marks in the prevailing conditions. The courses proved to be good even if there a few white sail reaches, mixed with hard beats and screaming downwind planing. Sobstad were probably rubbing their hands gleefully – it was definitely sailmaker weather and especially some of the 707s went trawling with their spinnakers in the difficult conditions. There were a few retirements but nothing major and most of the fleet managed to sort their gear out ready for Sunday’s racing. It was a day for Addiction with owner Stuart McAdam and designer’s son Peter Thomas onboard and Crazy Horses who between them took all the day's silverware demonstrating some superb upwind ability and downwind control. Meanwhile Emu Excursion, the Cowes Week winner weren’t quite repeat their dominance of Cowes Weeks. David Jinks and Michael Proberts’s Hot Pants and Andrew Aldwinckle and Tom Davison’s Doh! were proving to be contenders but there was still a lot to play for with three races planned for the final day’s competition.

A large turnout enjoyed the Championship class dinner on the Sunday evening and were able to see the on the water ‘thrills and spills’ replayed and replayed and replayed on the club video... recommended bar entertainment!

Monday greated the fleet with sunshine and a light breeze from the southwest. It was to be windward leewards, which given the light airs provided tactical racing. Different conditions again added further variety to the event and challenge. Addiction struck form early to take the first race after a good recovery and reading the conditions well. This placed a stiff challenge to the overnight leader Crazy Horses. Meanwhile, 3 Little Pigs had created some consistent scores adding further pressure to Crazy Horses and Hot Pants.

Final race commenced with 3 Little Pigs and Hot Pants arriving at the top mark placed one and two. Vince Hayter and the Crazy Horses needed to secure a top 5 place to win, a fight in itself, as the Hot Pants battled closely with Pigs round the course for 2nd and 3rd. It was fitting for this class, which is well reknown for its close racing, competitive spirit and social friendship to yet again experience a tight finish which remained open until the last beat of the Championship.

Overall Results:

More Information:

• YachtsandYachting.com Hunter 707 Page