Following industrial action by French fishermen, Cherbourg and most of the other northern French ports were closed this weekend, so the Royal Southampton's double-handed race had to be hastily re-routed with the fleet heading to the RORC Ocean Safety buoy some 25 miles SE of Bembridge. 

Sailing with co-skipper Jerry Freeman, the duo set off into the night on the 70 mile course. With a healthy 20-25 knots of wind it wasn't long before they were back again, taking line honours in Class 3. Unfortunately, "Hot Socks" is and out-and-out race boat, complete with movable water ballast so her corrected time based on her handicap rating meant that Katie & Jerry had to settle for 3rd place. Still... not a bad result for an evenings work !

Katie & "Hot Socks" are now lying 4th overall in the RSYC / McGuigan Wines Double-handed series with four races left to go.

Over the bank holiday weekend Katie & "Hot Socks" completed their first double-handed race of this years Royal Southampton Yacht Club / McGuigan Wines Double-Handed series.

The two part race to Weymouth and back saw Katie and her co-skipper Simon Curwen place a very creditable 5th and 3rd - not bad considering this was only Katie's second time on the boat (and Simon's first !).

"Hot Socks" is now coming out of the water for a few weeks for a mini-refit which will see the new Raymarine electronics being fitted ready for this years major event - the Petit Bateau / bluQube 1000 mile Solo race in June.