Day Three Report

Cowes Classics Week – Day 3 of Cowes Classics Week saw South Westerly winds from 8 to 15 knots and some sun, giving competitors an easier day’s racing and enabling two races for the classic dayboats on the bank and one longer race for the classic yachts. Day visitors to the regatta were the Victorys, getting in three races, the last one being back to their base at Portsmouth.

The classic yachts were sent off to the west to Gurnard Ledge and Cowes Yacht Haven, and then down to the east as far as Howden Fastnet and the Royal Yacht Squadron racing mark over on the Lee on Solent shore, and then up and down to the Ryde Middle, before finishing on the Royal London line at Cowes. The Old Gaffers had a course to Williams Shipping, not as far to windward, then to Royal Thames, East Bramble up to the Ryde Middle and home.

Division 1 was won by Bojar followed by Sunmaid V and Crusade. Spirit of Tradition class was won by Chameleon of Cowes with Bel Canto second. Division 2 was won by Binkie II followed by Sally of Kames and Janessa, and Division 3 by Warrior followed by Zest and Paloma third with the Old Gaffers won by Alberta with Spinaway X second.

The XODs raced on the bank from a committee vessel stationed near the Hamble Winter Series racing mark, with a windward leeward race following a general recall and then a round the cans race up and down the bank from Williams Shipping to Hill Head, finishing at RORC rather than off Cowes Green due to shipping movements in the main channel. With John Tremlett helming Astralita counting a UFD the day was won by Ben McGrane helming Swallow, followed by Claire de Lune and Tortoise.

The committee vessels for Circuits 2 and 4 were again stationed over by the Lee on Solent shore, giving the National Swallows one windward leeward race and one round the cans race to finish at a boat stationed west of the Royal London racing mark. The winner of the day was Mike Wigmore sailing Gwaihir followed by Skua and Swift. On the same circuit the Flying Fifteens had two races with Chris Brittain in ffabulous winning the day and Martin Harrison again winning the Squibs in Hussar.

On Circuit 4 the Daring metre boats had two windward leeward races, with Streak helmed by Malcolm Lofts winning the day followed by Doublet, Graham Wilkinson and Lavinia Perry in Dreamer third. The winner of the Victorys after three races was Kim Taylor in Zest with Paul Maidment in Zinderella second and Geoff Dixon in Zelia third.

The four race circuits are kindly sponsored by marine insurers GJW Direct with committee vessels and competing boats displaying the sponsors flags.

Competitors again enjoyed tea and cake at the RLYC clubhouse after racing kindly sponsored by Evelyn Partners, and day prize giving took place at a drinks reception at Kendalls Fine Art kindly sponsored by gallery owners Simon Chides and Jeremy Seals, with prizes kindly provided by Brian Howard of Distinctive Wines.

Cowes Classics Week is organised by the Royal London Yacht Club, The Parade, Cowes, Isle of Wight.