Spring was in the air on March 11 for the 50-strong race management team for the Warsash Spring Series and Spring Championship 2012, when a full dress rehearsal was held for the Solent’s premier early season event for keelboats. All systems afloat and ashore were checked, ready for the first day’s racing on Sunday March 18.
Warsash Spring Series team
As well as the six Spring Series Sundays, the Spring Championship is being held on the final two weekends with multiple races for IRC1, IRC2, Farr 45, J/109, Laser SB3, J/80 and Quarter Tonners. There is also a separate class for triallists for the Brewin Dolphin Commodores’ Cup, currently with 10 entries, including David Aisher (Yeoman of Wight), Peter Morton (Salvo), Jim Macgregor (Premier Flair) and Andrew McIrvine (La Reponse).

Many class trophy winners of 2011 are returning to the fray to defend their titles – Ran (IRC1), Stiletto (IRC3), Erik the Red (IRC4), Jahmali (J/109) and Aqua-J (J/80). David and Kirsty Apthorp have been keen contenders in the J/109 division for several years but for 2012 their J-Dream is a J/111 which will enjoy keen competition with sisterships Icarus, Jeez Louise  and Shmokin Joe. The J/80 section continues to grow in popularity, with Stewart Hawthorn and Nick and Annie Haigh swapping from Black Group classes. The increase in numbers may perhaps be due to the World Championships being held in Dartmouth later in the summer. Final class splits for handicap divisions will be decided on Thursday March 15.

Warsash Sailing Club extends a warm welcome to all competitors at Shore house in the entrance to the Hamble River and a free water taxi service is in operation on Sundays before and after racing to and from berths up river as far as Port Hamble.

Provisional results are emailed to each entry as soon as they are available, see Warsash Spring Series. Further entries are welcome for the Spring Series, Spring Championship or individual days.