The Friday evening forecast of light winds left Royal Southampton race officers contemplating whether to set the 122 boats in the annual Island Double a short Solent course rather than the 55 mile haul round the Isle of Wight.

Dawn on Saturday was accompanied by a much more promising forecast and a decent easterly breeze, so the alternative course was not needed. Class 3 were first off at 0740, including late entry Kingfisher, obliged to sail in RSYC handicap class as she has no current IRC rating. There was a short postponement when the outer distance committee boat dragged its anchor, but by 0855 all classes were away. Spinnakers were soon in evidence as the boats reached down the western Solent in a 10 knot southeasterly breeze. On the approach to the Needles the wind stiffened to 20 knots with some boats tucking in a reef or changing headsail prior to the beat to St Catherine's. On the south of the island, conditions eased and places were gained or lost as those who had opted to tack deep into Freshwater Bay to escape the tide found little wind.

Spinnakers reappeared at St Catherine's for the reach to Ventor and dead run to Bembridge Ledge, holding up for the reach to the forts. By then the wind had veered all the way to the northwest and on the final leg competitors were faced with another beat against the tide to the finish.

Visibility became poor for a time early Saturday afternoon, but out of the murk emerged a large yacht tacking up the eastern Solent to avoid the tide. Sure enough it was Johnny Malbon on Kingfisher who took line honours. Next to finish just under an hour later was Wings of the Wind in class 1 with Andrew McIrvine and Andrew Robert. After that boats appeared in increasing numbers and the last finish was before 1900.

The Double Handed Series continues with the NAB Double on Saturday 7 September. For details, contact RSYC Sailing Secretary Cathy Crawley on 023 80 223352 or email racing@rsyc.org.uk

PROVISIONAL RESULTS

Class 1 IRC

1 Closing Time Prima 38 David Riley

2 Juneau J105 Mike Wallis

3 Eye-Eye MG346 Ian Hayes & Peter Travis

Class 2 IRC

1 Cloud Nine H-Boat Magnus Wheatley & John Elphinstone

2 Google-Eye Trapper 300 Pat Staples & Nigel Hunter

3 Burhou Hunter Impala Donald Wilkes & Edward Harland

Class 3 RSYC

1 Crionna Twister John MacMullen & Ann Musgrave

2 Aquavit Nordic Folkboat Tom Howard/Paul Curtis

3 So! Nordic Folkboat Simon Osgood

Class 4 Multihull

1 Backlash Woods Banshee Tony Purser

2 Eclipse Eclipse Catamaran Richard Woods

3 Legless Farrier 24 Mike Browne