The Royal Solent Yacht Club’s sailing season has begun, with the Spring Series over the last two Sundays seeing nine boats coming to the start line, as the club trials its new balcony start line.

In recent years, there has been a push from the River Yar Boatyard to create a new fleet of four Contessa 28s, bringing the total to seven Contessas of various sizes competing regularly with other Class 1&2 boats.

Competition was tight from the beginning of the series, after the 10-week break since the last race on Boxing Day.

Several skippers are honing their skills before competing in the Fastnet Race 2025. Contessa 32 Merak II, skippered by Nick Bradley, is proving hard to beat on the water with line honours both times.

The Spring Series consists of seven races which are held, before the season begins in earnest after Easter.