Whilst the spring series got underway in bright sunshine and light winds, other members shivered under leaden skies with frequent downpours, as three local boats competed in the first offshore JOG (Junior Offshore Group) race of the season.

A bank holiday Friday morning start at Cowes witnessed Arcsine, Draig O'r Mor and Rattler, competing with the following spring tides on the start line. The spectacle near the forts, of HMS Endurance being unloaded from a huge barge after her journey up from the Falkland islands was a mild distraction as the fleets started to bunch up before the sprint to Cherbourg.  Poor visibility, rain and little or no wind turned what is normally a pleasant sail into purgatory.  With temperatures in the middle of the Channel around freezing this was anything but Spring!

The sun did however show itself at sunset as it disappeared behind Alderney in another rain squall which presented a full rainbow to the competitors.

The return race on Sunday morning was in light airs but at least it didn't rain.

Pictured are the skippers and locally based crews at the yacht club in Cherbourg.