Beaver Hunter – Southern Area Champion 26 Jun 2012

The reinstatement of the Southerns saw a small but competitive fleet of five 707s battled it out at the Elvstrom 707 Southern Championships hosted by the Royal Southern Yacht Club as part of their 175th June Regatta.

Gales battered the Solent in the week approaching the Southerns, but with a new kite up for grabs kindly donated by Elvstrom, this did not deter the two travelling boats with Sharky making the six hour journey from Hartlepool and Beaver Hunter from Burnham together with three local 707s. By Saturday the wind had abated to a consistent 25 knots which allowed for two races, but with the wind building throughout the day, the third was cancelled.

Race 1 was full of thrills and spills with many spectacular broaches but it was Beaver Hunter who took line honours ahead of Betty. The second race proved equally as challenging, but it was Betty who proved victorious. These conditions were at the extreme end of 707 sailing with boat speeds up to 16 knots being recorded and some pretty exciting downwind surfing conditions.