Congratulations to Mark Hall’s Raev FB767 for a start to finish race win in the first of the FBA’s new 3 part Saturday race series, The Long Race East. In a nail biting finish after racing the length of the Solent from Alasdair Maclean’s Eala Bheag FB754 narrowly edged out Claire and Julian Sowry’s  Mistral FB732 by a mere 7 seconds for second and third places. Full race report by Claire and Julian below

Prince Consort Charity Race, now known as the Long Race East – Saturday, 11 May 2024

Champagne conditions, sunny, with a nice 10-15 knots Easterly breeze, greeted Mistral as we sailed across the Solent to Yarmouth for the start, organised by the Royal Solent Yacht Club.  Warning Signal for XOD’s, YOD’s and Folkboats was at 11.00 with a strong flood tide, to be more than warry of, at the line!  Course – Start, Bouldner Bay, 3S (P) 3G (P) 3H (East Lepe) (S) Finish at Towers (S).

10 Folkboats came to the line, with FB767, Mark Hall leading from the start. The fleet experienced some very tricky 20 degree velocity wind shifts on the windward leg and always bearing in mind the need to stay in the strongest flood tide,with an interesting strategy nearing 3S, between the flood and the new ebb beginning on the shore. Marksman, RSYC made an announcement to watch out for a very large extremely fast motor boat coming through the fleet. This screamed past Mistral very noisily at 60 knots or so!

At the turning mark, 767 (Raev) led followed closely by 674(Astraea), 732 (Mistral) and 754 (Eala), with 765 (Wombat)and 762 (Lady Linda) not far behind.  Spinnakers were set shortly after the mark and held to the finish.  The new ebb was on the Island shore, however there was a difference of opinion on that between the fleet!  A number of place changes ensued but 767 led to the finish, with 754 and 732 having a close battle, separated at the line by 7 seconds, with 754 ahead. With the ebb tide building, Wombat, Astraea and Lady Linda finished fairly closely behind, followed by 612, 685, 677 and 703.  Great thanks to the RSYC Race Team and Volunteers for a great long race East, most enjoyed by all.