Grey skies and force 5 winds saw twenty-one boats leave Sunsail’s base at Port Solent last Wednesday. The fleet of Sun Fast 37’s were crewed by teams from many areas of the yachting marketplace to form the first Yachting Monthly Marine Industry Regatta. As we motored out into the Solent, the relatively calm waters and fresh breeze promised a good day’s racing.

As the series of three races proceeded, there were many incidents, not all of them due to the rising wind. However, perhaps the one that will stick in most people’s minds is the sight of Phil McDermott, software engineer with B&G instruments, up the mast disentangling snagged halliards. I hope he didn’t pay for any of the beer that evening! IPC media raised two boats, leading to the inevitable derby. However, the boat skippered by PBO’s David Harding led in all three races, winning them two bottles of champagne from the other boat. Maybe if they hadn’t hoisted their kite upside down things would have been different?

By the third race the wind was pushing force 6 and many spectacular broaches occurred as the fleet rounded the windward mark and hoisted spinnakers. Possibly it was the sight of this that caused Sunsail to cancel the proposed fourth race – in any case, it was a happy but relieved selection of sailors that headed for the yacht club bar.

On average for the three races, the first five places went to: Spinlock (pictured), Henri Llloyd, Raymarine, Navigators & General and boats.com. Congratulations to all involved for an excellent performance and an entertaining day’s sailing.