Running from July 18 to 21, the first day of the J Class Regatta in the Solent saw strong winds as well as a wild outgoing tide face the four yachts at the start of the race. The four competing vessels include charter yacht Ranger, sailing yacht Lionheart, Rainbow superyacht as well as luxury yacht Velsheda.

Superyacht Velsheda in the Solent

A great line up at the gun with superyacht Ranger and Velsheda just ahead of luxury yachts Lionheart and Rainbow. Both Lionheart and Rainbow crossed onto the North shore for the long beat into a strong 20 knot SW wind and building sea.

Ranger and Velsheda superyachts elected to work the Island shore, where the outgoing tide was expected to be stronger in their favour. At the weather mark, now crowded with spectator boats from all around the Solent, Ranger rounded first, with sailing yacht Lionheart close behind, followed by Rainbow and Velsheda, who had slipped back. Ranger gybe set onto a symmetrical kite whilst Lionheart split from her with a bearaway set onto an assymetric kite. Ranger now drew ahead sailing best angles into the foul tide with the symmetrical.

The gap between the yachts never really opened up significantly and all boats crossed the line within 137 seconds. Finishing positions across the line were unaltered by the very small handicaps that apply to each individual yacht, to account for small performance differences.

Results after Day 1:

1st Ranger
2nd Lionheart
3rd Rainbow
4th Velsheda