RTI spectators

castaway

castaway

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Joined
31 Dec 2001
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Solent
uk.groups.yahoo.com
Any of the Solent based forum regulars going to be watching the Round the Island Race on this Saturday?

Any good spots that are recomended?.. I was thinking that off Bembridge would be a good place in the afternoon,conditions being favorable.

If I can get down Friday I might go up to Newtown on fri PM to watch the first leg on Sat morning then sneak back down the "blind side" to Bembridge on Sat PM.

Main consideration: keeping out of the way.

Regds Nick
 
Can't really see anything spectatular happening on this stretch of the race though... sure, shed loads of boats but they'll all be heading the same way as it looks like a SW wind as usual.

We're planning on dropping the hook near the forts to watch the mayhem that always happens there - the boats will be against the wind and tide and it's bound to be good to watch with a cold beer in hand...

Roger Holden
www.first-magnitude.co.uk
 
With a SW wind most of the fun is going to be in the Western Solent, especially passed Hurst and down to the Needles.

By the forts the field has settled down and so there is less passing, and with an SW wind it would be a single tack up to the finish.
 
yes - the Needles will be fun - but you're gonna need blummin good eye sight to see what's going on from outside Yarmouth!!

I'm just trying to think where I was most terrified racing it last year - and it was definitely coming in throught the forts, not Hurst / Needles. In fact I was surprised how wide a berth most boats gave the Needles. I think the fact that coming through the forts the guys ahead of you have been pushed back on the tide on the opposite tack which makes it very interesting.



Roger Holden
www.first-magnitude.co.uk
 
Most exhilarating/scary bit for me has always been Bembridge Buoy. It's the point where everyone comes together having taken different tracks on the south side of the IoW. Given the prevailing South Westerly, most boats also approach under spinnaker which makes for a spectacular sight and some frantic dousing.

Dave L.
 
The other skipper an I are taking 3 novices out with us - hanging off a buoy at Yarmouth seemed a good plan not too far from a pub - makes a bit of a weekend of it.

The bonus is that the fleets will all be bunched (except the early starting multis which will no doubt be finished by the time the bacon roles are done) and tacking up the Western Solent - so I'm expecting to see at least 50% of the fleet close up.
 
Spoil sport I know but...

...two great places to watch from don't require you to be in a boat.

One is the old coast guard bldgs at the Needles (watch them play dodgems), and the other is St Caths light, especially if its a hard run into the overfalls (bins or a telephoto lens recommended)
 
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