THERE was plenty of great racing on The Solent over the past week.

Take a look at what some of the Island's clubs have been running. 

                                              BEMBRIDGE SAILING CLUB

TIDAL and wind conditions on The Solent made for another tricky weekend of sailing — with only the keenest out racing. 

Last Friday evening, in a Force 3-4 breeze, two One-Designs raced just outside Bembridge Harbour. 

Mark Grzegorczyk (No.9) motored away to finish more than eight minutes ahead of Simon Allocca (No.1). 

Meanwhile, the three Redwings got away to a good start, with all three tacking quickly inshore. 

Colin Samuelson (Toucan) and Olav Cole (Redwing) had an excellent duel as they closed in on Fitzwilliam, with Toucan ahead by no more than a boat's length. 

On the short run to Under Tyne, Cole closed the gap, but a bad rounding allowed Toucan to finish two minutes clear.

In a 7-knot breeze, three Redwings raced on Saturday. 

Samuelson (Toucan) was able to remain in the lead on the slow run to Footprint, but like the previous day, with Cole breathing down his neck. 

However, this time Redwing crossed the finish line at Under Tyne ahead.

Five One-Designs struggled at times to make progress, but Grzegorczyk, sailing single-handed, was the only one to spot the heavy bias at the pin end of the tine and, by starting unchallenged on Port tack, he was a long away ahead of the other four boats. 

On Sunday afternoon, it rained as boats were finishing, but sea conditions were more pleasant. 

The same three Redwings started north of Under Tyne. 

Toucan headed inshore and rounded Garland well ahead — then it became a bit of a procession as Samuelson crossed the line at Old Church, eight minutes ahead of Redwing. 

With equal points over the two days, Toucan won the Evert de Kort Cup on countback.

In the four-boat One-Design race, only Sarah Marshall (No.7) spotted Toucan’s successful inshore route, which put her into an unassailable lead.

                                              GURNARD SAILING CLUB

THIRTY-six entries took full advantage of perfect sailing conditions for Gurnard's Summer Wednesday series.

On a sunny evening, with a light easterly breeze, several courses took the fleets out around East Lepe buoy.

Martin Scott won the Catamarans, and Mark Harrison's RS100 won the fast handicap race. 

The medium handicap class attracted 13 boats, who produced some close racing.

At the top of the fleet, Shaun Kellet came out as the winner in his Aero 7. 

In the slow handicap race, Ben Anderson's ILCA4 beat the rest of the fleet on corrected time. 

A few RS Teras overturned, but Patrick Di Salle, who had already led from the start, held on to take the win.

                                               ISLAND SAILING CLUB

SAILING conditions were exhilarating for last Tuesday’s club evening race. 

The 36 boats that turned out in five classes were able to make up for the previous week’s frustration, when racing was abandoned due to the lack of wind. 

In contrast, Flag Yankee was flying, to make the wearing of life jackets compulsory for all. 

The courses were set with short legs, to encourage plenty of crew work and provide a good training opportunity before the Round the Island Race and Cowes Week. 

Starting in an easterly direction, boats were close hauled, with crews having to work hard to power through the lumpy seas around the Prince Consort shoal, towards Ryde's Middle Bank. 

The cruiser classes then headed north west on a broad reach, to sail a figure of eight along the south side of the Bramble Bank, before returning to finish on the club line. 

Sonars and Flying Fifteens sailed two rounds of a windward-leeward sausage, closer to home. 

Boats sailed close to their maximum speeds on the downwind legs, while club Sonars sailed without spinnakers to avoid damage to gear or to crew.