Sailing from the heart of Portsmouth

A Blistering Pace at the Front

From the start, the racing was incredibly tight. A fierce three-way battle erupted at the front of the fleet, with Z80, Z78, and Z76 trading blows and fighting tooth and nail for the lead. Not to be left out, Z74 was hot on their heels, putting immense pressure on the leaders and waiting for any opportunity to slice into the action. Further back, the rest of the fleet was locked in its own dense tactical duel for 5th place, with Steve and Ned Potter among those fighting hard for every inch of clean air.

The Winning Move

The defining moment of the race came during a textbook mark rounding at ‘Naomi House’. As the fleet rounded and began the leg back up to ‘Baker Trait’, the race was completely blown wide open.

While the front-runners were preoccupied fighting each other for lane dominance, Steven Potter in Z77 executed a masterclass in timing. He was the very first to hoist the kite—a bold strategic gamble that paid off flawlessly. Rocketing ahead in fresh breeze, Z77 left the original leading boats completely in the dust.

The Verdict

In a stunning turnaround, Steven Potter (Z77) crossed the line to take a well-deserved victory, cementing his name on the prestigious list of Visitors Race winners!

Meanwhile, the tricky conditions caught out others; Ned Potter ultimately slipped back to finish 6th overall after finding himself trapped under the fleet in dirty air.

A Huge Thank You:

A massive shoutout and thank you to everyone who generously offered up their boats to our visiting sailors. Without your generosity, this fantastic event and its prestigious history wouldn’t be possible.

Congratulations to Steven Potter and all the competitors on a fantastic race!

And a big thank you to Sid and his race officer team and photographer Louise!

More photos from Louise HERE ==> https://dixong1.smugmug.com/Victory-Class/Visitors-Race-2026

Having had an easterly for most of the day, the swing to the south was underway, but by the time we got to PSC the breeze was coming straight form BT. High water was at 19.40 and so we had a westerly going tide of about .3knots.

Setting up, Sapristi was soon surrounded by 6 Victories, all having motor-sailed out, but with 20 minutes to go, 74 thankfully hoisted her sails and we could see that westward progress across the line was going to easy, but she was also able to make it back under white sails. So the course was set, taking into account the conditions, being BT(S), Gate, NH Finish, giving us the option to shorten at the gate. As we started to prepare for the start sequence, Munch had taken a swim but everyone was course side of the line. The sequence was started on time, with paddles coming out to get back behind the line and with 3 minutes to go it was obvious that most were going to be OCS at the start and so AP was hoisted. (What was everyone thinking?) The question now was whether to keep AP up until the conditions became a bit clearer, but as Tom put it as he passed, ” it needs to be now or never”.

Once all 6 boats were the back over the line, the sequence was restarted. With the west running tide, you really didn’t want to be early…..but as the Z flag came down, 54, 76 and 78 were all over. 76 was quick to turn back, and 54, obviously noting the X flag was still up also turned around, but 78 carried on. Noting how long it took 54 to get back behind the line we were worried that they were all going to struggle to return from BT, even under kites. The fleet inevitably split with most staying on a starboard tack and heading out into the stronger tide, but 76, having returned. Opted to head into the shore. 54 was now well behind (having also done a 360 after recrossing the line). 22 minutes for the lead boats to reach BT, with 78 first round, followed by 74, 80 and 54, which had made a fabulous recovery. Neither 76 or 77 managed to get round BT despite getting kites up and going from side-to-side. It was difficult to see from Sapristi, but it appeared that nobody was making any progress eastwards. 74 went right into the shore but gybed and on the return it was obvious that they too were still struggling to make progress. 25 minutes later Sapristi hoisted S to shorten the course at the Gate, but had also settled in for a long wait and contemplated that the 2 hour limit may come into effect. Thankfully, at 19.54 76 called to announce their retirement, followed quickly by 77. All kites were down by 19.58. As 76 and 77 got closer it was obvious that most of the others had also dropped their sails and were making progress towards Sapristi under motor power, leaving just 78 still sailing. But, as she had been OCS, there was technically nobody still racing, and so at 20.10 N-over-A was hoisted and racing abandoned.

We tried, and as Hugh put it… “what a lovely evening to be on the water,” and it was certainly cooler being out there.

Roll on Thursday…..

What to do? The wind was starting to come back from its original direction, but would it hold, and would it be enough to get to Portsmouth100 mark? With 5 boats now milling around Sapristi (who had moved to KB) a course was decided upon. But how many times should we send them round. In the end it was decided to add another lap as we could always shorten it.

So, as 18.50 approached (yes, the P flag was ready just in case), the course was read out (and reread as Julian was caught mid-bucket use). Start at KB; LM (P), PSC(P), KB(P), LM(P), KB(P), LM(P), KB(P), LM finish. At 19.00 the boats were away, most staying on starboard, 77 quickly tacking off to port. OOD decided that we needed to move the LM a tad, and so followed them down the beat and after they had all rounded, duly moved it SE by about 200m (we had considered giving out a SailGP type radio message, complete with mid-Atlantic accent, but decided not to).

75 was off like a robbers dog, being first round the windward mark, with 77 who’s move to starboard obviously hadn’t cost them being 2^nd round. 69 was not far behind, with 54 and 78 making up the fleet. Jim had opted to stay on the starboard tack far longer than the others and it had obviously cost them. Some mixed hoists at the LM, with more than 1 wrap with 69 probably having the pick of the clean manoeuvres.

It was now time to break out the Guinness zero, Cheese and herb sticks, followed by chillied olives, and Portuguese tarts (I do like doing OOD)

Meanwhile on the water, 75 was going like a train and had pulled out a good 10 boat lengths by the time they had reached KB for the second beat. The other 4 were all still within striking distance of each other. 75 was back at the LM after just 17 minutes….thank goodness we put in the extra sausage. By this time she already had a 2 minute lead over 77 who had held onto 2^nd with 69 just 40 seconds behind and 54 and 78 remaining as they were. Again, 78 had taken the early tack onto starboard at KB and still didn’t seem to be paying off, some 30 seconds behind 54. It was all looking a bit processional as they came round for the 2^nd lap with 75 having stretched her lead by 20 seconds, but 69 had closed on 77 and this time it had paid for 78 as she was now within just 7 seconds of 54. As they headed back to the bottom mark, there was little doubt that 75 was out on her own, but the other 4 still had podium places to work for. And then the surprise….with everyone in t-shirts (and mostly shorts) the rain came! Everyone was on the final beat. It didn’t last long, but affected the wind angle and pressure. Would it hold? Thankfully it did but the wind angle had moved a touch as everyone was now shy of the rhum line. Again, 78 had opted to take the early starboard tack on rounding KB, with 54 also taking a more northerly track. As 75 approached the line, they had to tack and it was probably the slowest of the evening, but they got back on line and were through in just over 40 minutes. But there was a definite race on for the other places. 78 and 54 were now looking like serious challengers as 77 and 69 (who had opted to stay more southerly) had got the rhum line completely wrong and had to put in additional tacks. As they all approached the finish, 78 did a GB1 and snuck in and tacked right on the line to take 2^nd with 54 who had also gained by taking the more northerlty line sneaking into 3^rd ahead off 77 by a handful of seconds. From 78 (2^nd) to 69 (5^th) there was just 90 seconds, showing how close it was on that final beat.

Well done to 75 who were simply unplayable on the night. And 78 for its persistence..it paid off.

...We were still in the NE pattern of wind so a repeat of Tuesday’s course layout looked on the cards, and sure enough the OOD set up mid-way between BT and PSC, with a laid mark, but decided to “mix it up” a bit, and as one owner said in the bar afterwards ” I wasn’t expecting 7 corners in a 40 minute race”.

The course was a combination of windward, leeward and a triangle, initially set as Sapristi-PSC(S)-BT(S)-KB(P)-LM(S)-PSC(S)-LM(S)-Finish at NH, and everything was set to go with the countdown well into the 5 minute sequence when Nick realised that a keen-eyed skipper (no names) could simply straight line the KB-PSC leg missing out BT entirely, so a hasty postponement was raised with a correction to have BT left to (P) issued and after a few minutes delay, we were on the countdown again. As the boats milled about, it was obvious we were going to have a VERY close view of them crossing the line. As the start time approached, the hand was on the X-flag as 54 was over, but just got herself back behind the line with seconds to go, and the 6 starters were on their way to the shore.

The good wind meant that 75 was at PSC within 6 minutes, with 74 close behind followed by 54, 80, 78 and 77; all still close together. It only took another 5 minutes for the lead boats to get back to BT, with 75 still ahead, but 74 in her shadow and less than 30 seconds later, 54 still holding 3rd. 74 quickly tacked off with 75 staying heading out to sea, before deciding to cover 74. Eventually, all were on a port tack heading in, before tacking again to head for KB. 75 was still ahead but 74 was now right on her transom, with 54 holding off 80. However 54 had an initial wrap which cost her a few metres. It was a close reach as they headed for the LM. A very late windward drop on 75 was really well executed as they held the lead round the turn.

Here we got into the first real split, with 75 staying on starboard, but 74 tacked off to head out to sea before the two crossed and stayed on a split, but at PSC it was still 75 ahead. As they turned at PSC the full order being 75, 74, 54, 80, 78 and 77. The run back to the LM started with 74 having a wrap, but it was quickly sorted and had no real impact. The split continued at the front with 75 staying on port but 74 gybed in to the shore. And so they arrived at the LM for the final leg, and the order remained the same. The scene was now set for a straight drag race to NH. 54 and 80 was also an undecided result for 3rd. As 77 rounded, Sapristi pulled up the LM and had to push the revs a bit to get through the fleet and your writer lost track of what was happening until we were lying off NH. By this time it was evident that 75 and 74 had stayed split and the final telling move was for 75 to stay out whilst 74 went in and picked up a massive lift on the shore and pipped 75 to the line by 24 seconds with 54 another 26 seconds back in 3rd. 80, 78 and 77 made up the finishers, with less than 2 minutes separating all 6 boats.

Well done to Team Peregrine and with a guest on Sapristi, a great advert for Victory racing.

Victory Class leads the way

Mixing with the big stuff

The class was involved in two races this Saturday(18th) with the first counting towards the Helmsman Cup! The committee had put Victories in with Division 2 start, the first at 1020. The course provided by the committee was (after deciphering several transmissions) line- 5J(port)-5P(port)-line, twice round. The committee boat stationed 200m south west of 5P was going to make the leg to the line interesting with a required quick loop to the finish.

Luckily two Victories turned up to definitely make a valid Class race! With a collection of boats on Div 2… Folkboat, First 21.2, Half tonner, First 33.7, with 7 boats in Div 1.

So race one, Zilch and Zelia starting towards the pin, with the larger boats coming in late at the committee boat.

Zilch was overtaken by Sweet Pea (first 33.7) on the starboard lay line to the first mark. Due to dealing with the larger yachts, Zella managed to squeeze past Zilch at the mark to become the lead victory. A small issue with Zella’s kite launch allowed Zilch to overtake to windward. At 5P (www.victoryclass.org.uk/portsmouth100), Sweet Pea set for a port rounding, giving a worry of confusion to the following yachts. Zilch approached the mark with Challenger(First 40.7) a boat length behind. Which way were the yachts to round… luckily both to port!!!

Now for the interesting manoeuvre to tack quickly for the line!!! Trying to keep wind without losing out to a windshadow for the huge div one yacht! Challenger tacks allowing Zilch to follow without losing the wind and a sharp intake of breath as his bow crossed the stern of Zilch.

With Sweet Pea rounding a different way it was a race for not just Class but division win for the Victories. Zelia rounded to port with the next group of Tempests in Div 1. Zilch went through the line and cleared their wind from Challenger. Zelia continued north along the channel… maybe forgot about the line in the course (perhaps one of those Victory blunders, or was it just the course transmission?!)

The race continued with the positions not changing after Zelia returned to the line on round one. 1st Zilch and 2nd Zelia… PSC handicap results to follow….

Now race 2…..

The wind had veered slightly making the line a little squarer but the tide still favouring the pin end of the line. Course set line (no position change)-5G(port, Baker Trayte)-5P(stbd)-line, again two laps. At least the committee saw the error of the course in the first race with the loop!!!!

Again both Victories competed for the pin, Zilch cleared the pin with Zelia and Mistress (Folkboat) following. Mistress putting pressure on trying to get through both Victories to windward. Out to the tide, Zilch managed to work to Mistress’s line to allow her to tack to cover Zelia, who had tacked to clear her wind. Zilch, piped Sweet Pea to Baker Trayte and hoisted first, Zelia following as the third boat…

No Div one to contend with yet. Sweet Pea … rounds 5P successfully to starboard!!! Followed by both Zilch and Zelia. Back through the line and up again to 5G.

Zilch slightly over standing with the westerly tide with Zelia, but with Challenger approaching between to be an hindrance at the mark. Zilch already knew that Challenger was set up to undertake bear away set, hopefully they could gybe set inside…

At the mark Challenger went wide in and narrow out to stop the gybe set of Zilch!!!

Zelia gained a small distance, as Zilch gybed finely behind Challenger. Sweet Pea already half way down the run….

Div two across the line Sweet Pea , Zilch and Zelia.

Thank you to Geoff and Paul for competing!!!

Next week, same again with roast beef sandwiches in the club…. Come on folks the rest of you are missing out!!!

Scam

The first race of the new season. Light winds from the West-South-West. Sapristi as committee boat with Sid in control, ably assisted by his daughterand Mike. But some boats were already racing to the start, but a great total of8 boats on the course. Z80 with only 3 minutes to spare after stepping their mast– very impressive Russ and Martyn.

So, course set from the line to PSC (port)-Naomi House(stbd)- PSC (port) – Line A. Who could remember line A!!!! So a slight bias on the line with Z74 approaching from the windward side – hoping to having a good transit for the start!!! Nice work Tom and team – a great lead at the start due to being on the line!!! Z74 extended through the race, but behind was a different issue – lots of place swapping on the first beat, with Z75 just sneaking in before Z79, Z78 and Z80! The hoist – had all the system been rigged right? – no quite on Z75 – but hopefully none saw. Z79 took advantage to take second place at the leeward mark in front of Z75. Z80 squeezed inside Z78 at the mark in a tight battle for fourth. The race continued with Z75 managing to secure second place on the beat followed by Z79, Z80 and Z78. Z54, Z77 and Z70 followed up behind.

Only for Julian to drop his hat in the water!!!

​Amongst others, Richard Burns, winner of the first Crews Race in Z80 Shearwater, and Adrian Parnell, winner of the second Crews Race in Z74 Peregrine collected their prizes. Z75 Zilch, Z79 Zada and Z78 Ziva had their hands full as three of the most consistent winners, and Z74 Peregrine collected the Beazely Trophy for Cowes Week overall… as well as others too numerous to list as the standout boat of the season. Congratulations to them all!

The evening is also an occasion to recognise those who support the running of the class, and Class Captain John Scammell was delighted to present the Don Metcalf Memorial trophy to Phillip Jones from Portsmouth Sailing Club who unfailingly supports the class in so many ways.

The Captains Decanter is presented by the Class Captain to a member who has made a particular contribution to the class and been supportive above and beyond. As the final presentation of the evening it was an emotional moment for all concerned as Maxine Reeves received the decanter for exceptional support over the last 12 months and indeed for her support and participation over many years.

A full set of photos from the evening can be viewed at the following address ==> https://dixong1.smugmug.com/Victory-Class/Prizegiving-2025

​More photos to follow…......