THE BRITISH CLASSIC YACHT CLUB REGATTA
was held in Cowes from Monday 21st July through Saturday 26th July 2008.
Press Release 6
Friday 25th July
Final day’s racing decides the winners at the 2008 British Classic Yacht Club Regatta
Competitors were greeted by light winds and overcast skies on the final day of racing at the 2008 British Classic Yacht Club Regatta in Cowes. Many of the class series would be decided on the result of today’s single race and there was a palpable air of anticipation as the fleet left the Cowes Yacht Haven this morning.
The Lady Anne, Mariette & Tuiga Photo: Nichola Aigner.
With the first leg of the Class Zero course being a beat to into the tide, the boats delighted the throngs of spectators and photographers watching from under the Royal Yacht Squadron platform, by starting close to the shore in an effort to cheat the tide. Tuiga and The Lady Anne immediately engaged in a one on one, pre-start match race for the advantage on the line. Tuiga initially looked to have gained the upper hand when, skirting the seaweed covered rocks, they tacked on to port with less than a minute to go. The Lady Anne crew had other ideas however and demonstrating near perfect time on distance technique, they neatly tacked in front of Tuiga to steal her perfect start. Mariette, unable to come as close inshore as the smaller boats had to stay a couple of hundred yards further offshore and could only watch as her smaller rivals edged away in less tide.
The Lady Anne, Mariette & Tuiga Photo: Nichola Aigner.
With the breeze remaining light, the big boats made slow but steady progress around the fifteen mile course and it was just over three hours later that Mariquita crossed the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club finish to take a line honours win. Some four minutes after came Tuiga, with Mariette hot on her heels. When the results had been calculated, Tuiga had taken a comprehensive handicap race win. Having performed impressively in the lightish conditions for such a big yacht, Mariette was second and Kelpie corrected into third.
Mariette Photo: Nichola Aigner.
This meant that in the overall standings Tuiga’s win enabled her to retain her position at the top of the leader board and could celebrate a Class Zero win. Mariette finished just two points behind in second place with The Lady Anne third.
Kelpie Photo: Nichola Aigner.
There was no closer battle for the overall series than in Class Four, where going into the last race, Roger Dann’s Leonie and Lance Rowell’s Dorothy were tied on points. In the crucial final race the upper hand in that battle went to Leonie who finished second today behind Adam Gosling’s Sinbad of Abersoch. Dorothy struggled to find her form and could only manage an eleventh. Today’s results gave Roger Dann and his crew aboard Leonie a well deserved class victory by nine points from of Sinbad of Abersoch whose win leapfrogged them past Dorothy into second.
The Lady Anne & Tuiga Photo: Nichola Aigner.
In Class Two, despite winning the final race, Brian & Yvonne Turner’s Clarion of Wight had to concede the overall series to Martin Thomas’s Charm of Rhu by a margin of just three points. David Messon’s Josephine, who at the beginning of the week had scored well in the Round the Island race, also put a consistent series together for the rest of the regatta, helping her to secure third overall.
Mariette & Tuiga Photo: Nichola Aigner.
Throughout the regatta there was little doubt in Class Two about who the winning boat would be. David Murrin’s Cetewayo won both legs of the Round the Island Race, the Ladies Day race as well as three other races to finish on eight points – twelve point six points ahead of the next boat. Second was the Earl of Cork and Orrery and David Glasgow’s Athena and they will have been equally pleased to have won their weeklong battle against fellow 8 Metre Ilderim. Marc Busschots’s aboard Ilderim finished on a high too by taking a win in the final race. Third overall in Class Two was the 12 Metre Wings helmed by Guy Ribadeau Dumas. Wings impressed everyone with their speed during the regatta, never more so than the opening Round the Island race when they managed to lead the whole regatta fleet home by some considerable margin.
Their stellar performance during the week also earned David Murrin and his polished team aboard Cetewayo, the 2008 British Yacht Club Regatta overall title.
The Brian Keelan Memorial Trophy for the best gaff rigged yacht was awarded to the Yacht Club De Monaco’s Tuiga.
Peter Scott RYS, manning guns & flags Photo: Nichola Aigner.
Based upon the votes of all the competing skippers, Tim Blackman’s Infanta was given the ‘Je Ne Sais Quoi’ award for the boat which most believed had ‘that special something’.
The Classic Boat Magazine prize for ‘most gentlemanly behaviour’ was given to was given to Clive Emerson's Lutine, in recognition of their courteous conduct on the racecourse.
Mariquita Photo: Nichola Aigner.
Trophies were presented at a sumptuous Prizegiving Dinner at the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club dinner this evening. On Saturday 26th of July all the competitors have been invited to take part in a Parade of Sail off the Royal Yacht Squadron at 1000, followed by a ‘Payback’ Race for Classes Two, Three and Four starting at 1130 from a Committee Boat line.
Provisional Overall Results:
Class Zero
1st Tuiga
2nd Mariette
3rd The Lady Anne
Class Two
1st Cetewayo
2nd Athena
3rd Wings
Class Three
1st Charm of Rhu
2nd Clarion of Wight
3rd Josephine
Class Four
1st Leonie
2nd Sinbad of Abersoch
3rd Dorothy
Overall Regatta Winner: Cetewayo – David Murrin
‘Je Ne Sais Quoi’ Award – Infanta – Tim Blackman
The Brian Keelan Memorial Trophy – Tuiga – Yacht Club De Monaco
Classic Boat Magazine ‘Most Gentlemanly Behaviour’ prize - Lutine - Clive Emerson
The Brian Keelan Memorial Trophy for the best gaff rigged yacht was awarded to Tuiga
Yacht Club de Monaco.
The prize for the 'Most Improved Performance' was awarded to Thendara - Chris & Liz Day.
Results, press releases and photographs from the regatta have been posted on the RCYC website at www.rcyc.co.uk . Video from the start of the Class Zero boats on Monday and other images captured at the regatta can be found on the Offshore Rules website at www.offshorerules.com .
Other images from the 2008 British Classic Yacht Club Regatta can be found on the following photographer’s websites:
www.rick-tomlinson.com
www.outsideimages.co.nz
www.marineaction.co.uk
All images attached to this individual press release are free for editorial use only and must be credited to ‘Nicky Aigner’.
The organisers of the 2008 British Classic Yacht Club Regatta are grateful for the support of the following sponsor organisations: Azure Dragon, Ellen McArthur Trust, Gassan, Harken, Mount Gay, Sandeman Yachts, SLAM, Spot Red, Traditional Shipwright Services and The Waterside Pub.
For further information please contact:
Justin Chisholm
Press Officer
2008 BCYC Regatta
Email: justin@justinchisholmsolutions.com
Mobile: +447769 938722
Skype: justinchis
Press Release 5
Thursday 24th July
The weather gods smiled once again on the 2008 British Yacht Club Regatta, providing
bright warm sunshine and twelve to fifteen knot breezes, as the classic boats left the
Cowes Yacht Haven this morning for day four of the event.
Tuiga Photo: Nichola Aigner.
One boat choosing not to race today was the 1914 8 Metre Class yacht Ierne so we took
some time to find out more about this beautiful craft. Yorkshireman Huw Morris Jones told
us that Ierne was built in 1914 by Fife for an Irish brewing magnate. Ierne was the earliest Bermudan 8 Metre and her rig was the first to be affectionately described as ‘Marconi’
due to her spar’s obvious resemblance to a large radio aerial. The non-gaff rig was
not an immediate success however and Ierne broke two masts in her first season of
racing. Morris Jones explains ‘We have some of the correspondence from the then
owner, questioning whether the Bermudan idea was a good one and commenting that
the cost of replacement masts was causing his bank manager some concern’.
Mariquita Photo: Nichola Aigner.
Ierne’s current owner is a recent convert to sailing, having been taught to sail by e
x-Marine Chris Johnson, who now regularly sails aboard Ierne. ‘Chris taught Pete Goss
to sail so I reckoned he is a good teacher’ commented Morris Jones. ‘Having given up
rugby I wanted a sport that challenged me and that I could be active in. I learned to sail
up at the Royal Yorkshire Yacht Club in Yorkshire One Designs. People call them
‘Yorkshire Puddings’ but the boats are great and the racing is superb.’
The Lady Anne Photo: Nichola Aigner.
He found Ierne several years ago in a sorry state in Portugal and says he realised
immediately that she was the boat for him. ‘Despite her poor condition I could see she
was beautiful and I knew straight away that I had to get her sailing again’. Eighteen
months of painstaking work followed at the J. Irvine Yard in Burton upon Humber before
Ierne emerged looking literally as good as new. Morris Jones explains ‘We have worked
hard to get her as close to her original state as we could. The deck fittings have all been
cast specially in Bronze Alloy and the boat has no winches. All the sail trim is done using
block and tackle purchases, which makes her a bit of a work out to sail in any breeze.
We are not racing today because the wind against tide conditions out on the Solent would
be too risky for the rig. This is the first time that Morris Jones has sailed in the Solent and
he is clearly enjoying being part of the regatta. ‘There’s a great atmosphere on the water
and in the marina. I am delighted to have the chance to bring Ierne here and be part of the whole spectacle’.
Mariquita Photo: Nichola Aigner.
Out on the Class Zero racecourse the big boats were revelling in the freshening breeze.
For the crew of Mariette this was a chance to show the true ability of their beautiful boat in conditions that suited her best. Enthusiasm got the better of some of the skippers at the
start with Wings, Tuiga, Sceptre and Kelpie all adjudged to be over the line and
consequently incurring a three minute time penalty. As expected, Mariette blasted
around the course, eating up the twenty miles in just over two hours and forty minutes.
Sailing aboard Mariette for the first time was Royal Corinthian Yacht Club honorary flag
officer Rachel Spearing who told us that the experience was unforgettable. ‘The skill
and coordination of the Mariette crew is truly incredible’ she continued. ‘The feeling of
grace and speed from this wonderful old lady is inspiring. I have sailed aboard many
modern super yachts and I can now categorically say that classic yachts are the best’.
Freddie Chambers, one of the twenty eight crewmen aboard Mariette told us ‘This is my
first regatta on the boat and today goes down as my best ever day on the water. At times
during the racing I was up to my waist in water and just hanging on for grim death. It was
just a fantastic race’.
Legendary yachtsman Harold Cudmore, sailing this week on Tuiga told us that it had
been a marvellous day out on the water. ‘This week we are having great racing because
we are so evenly matched with The Lady Anne. Today the race turned upon one decision -
we chose not to gybe on the run because we were not sure how it would work out and
they managed to pull it off meaning they beat us on the water. That is just how yacht
racing should be’. When the final results were calculated, unsurprisingly Mariette took
the corrected time win, with Wings in second and Tuiga placed third.
Mariette Photo: Nichola Aigner.
In the absence of the two 8 Metre boats Athena and Ilderim who were taking part in the
Royal Victoria Yacht Club Olympic Centenary celebrations, David Murrin’s Cetewayo took another line honours and a handicap win in the first race in Class Two ahead of David
Foster’s Quiver V and Clive Emerson’s Lutine.
In Class Four’s first race, Adam Gosling’s Sinbad of Abersoch tool their second
consecutive win, this time ahead of Roger Dann’s Leonie and Patrick Moreton’s Twilight.
Alan Stannah’s Sally of Kames and Tim Bennet’s Droleen were given a three minute time penalty for being over the line at the start.
The Lady Anne Photo: Nichola Aigner.
There was a special moment in Class Three today when Jamie Mathieson’s Opposition claimed victory in the first race of the day. Better known as British Prime Minister Edward Heath’s most successful boat, Morning Cloud II, she has recently emerged from an eight month refit at the local Lallows Yard where she had originally been built. Echoing some of the many wins from her illustrious past, today Opposition took line honours and a corrected time win ahead of C van Rijckevorsel’s Sensa and Martin Thomas’s Charm of Rhu. Aboard Swanilda Danny Brock was pleased with his fifth in class and told us that this result was a big improvement. ‘I am always at the back but we did well to day for two reasons. Firstly it was windy and Swanilda likes a bit of breeze but secondly we had our secret weapon Rosie Chapman on the helm. Rosie is a Laser radial sailor from Mounts Bay and she is in the British Olympic Squad for the 2012 Olympics. She was brilliant today and she whipped us all into shape.
Day Three Provisional Results:
Class Zero
Race Four
1st Mariette
2nd Wings
3rd Tuiga
Class Two
Race Four
1st Cetewayo
2nd Quiver
3rd Lutine
Race Five
1st Cetewayo
2nd Quiver V
3rd Lutine
Class Three
Race Four
1st Opposition
2nd Sensa
3rd Charm of Rhu
Race Five
1st Charm of Rhu
2ndOposition
3rd Clarion of Wight
Class Three
Race Four
1st Sinbad of Abersoch
2nd Leonie
3rd Twilight
Race Five
1st Leonie
2nd Sinbad of Abersoch
3rd Zaleda
Racing at the 2008 British Classic Yacht Club Regatta concludes for all fleets tomorrow (Friday 25th July) when Classes Two through Four will start at 1000 and sail two races. Class Zero boats are scheduled for one race starting at 1100 from the Royal Yacht Squadron line. On Saturday 26th of July all the competitors have been invited to take part in a Parade of Sail off the Royal Yacht Squadron at 1000 followed by a ‘Payback’ Race for Classes Two, Three and Four starting at 1130 from a Committee Boat line.
As results, press releases and photographs become available during the regatta they will be posted on the RCYC website at www.rcyc.co.uk . Video from the start of the Class Zero boats on Monday and other images captured at the regatta can be found on the Offshore Rules website at www.offshorerules.com .
All images attached to this individual press release are free for editorial use only and must be credited to ‘Nicky Aigner’
Other images from the 2008 British Classic Yacht Club Regatta can be found on the following photographer’s websites:
www.marineaction.co.uk
www.rick-tomlinson.com
The organisers of the 2008 British Classic Yacht Club Regatta are grateful for the support of the following sponsor organisations: Azure Dragon, Ellen McArthur Trust, Gassan, Harken, Mount Gay, Sandeman Yachts, SLAM, Spot Red, Traditional Shipwright Services and The Waterside Pub.
For further information please contact:
Justin Chisholm
Press Officer
2008 BCYC Regatta
Email: justin@justinchisholmsolutions.com
Mobile: +447769 938722
Skype: justinchis
Press Release 4
Wednesday 23rd July
Long day on the water for the fleet at the 2008 British Classic Yacht Club Regatta
The weather in Cowes was more akin to the Mediterranean than the south coast of
England as the classic fleet left the Cowes Yacht Haven under crystal clear blue skies
on day three of the 2008 British Classic Yacht Club Regatta. In the full expectation
of the arrival of a thermal breeze, Class Zero were dispatched on a long course to take
in Lymington Bank, Prince Consort and Skandia. Mariquita, Kelpie, The Lady Anne,
Tuiga, Mariette and Sceptre made for a magnificent spectacle as they manoeuvred
against each other for prime position on the Royal Yacht Squadron start line. At the
gun Mariette was the first to show and immediately deployed her huge balloon
spinnaker to ease her away from the pack. Despite flying the maximum possible
sail area the 138’ Herreshoff design could only just eke out progress against the
strong Solent tide. As the race progressed the thermal breeze conspicuously failed to materialise and it became clear that the big boats were in for a long day on the water.
When they eventually reached the Lymington Bank turning mark the crew aboard Mariette,
who really need much more breeze to be competitive, were pleased to round the mark
at least still in touch with the rest of the fleet. Many hours later at around 1615 it was the
vintage 12 Metre Wings with Guy Ribadeau Dumas at the helm that managed to edge
her way over the finish line between Prince Consort and the RCYC flagpole. Their lead
on the fleet was extensive and it was just short of an hour later that the Mariquita drifted
home behind her. On corrected time Wings took a well deserved win by over an hour
from the Yacht Club De Monaco’s Tuiga in second and The Lady Anne in third.
Photo: John Greenway
The boats over in the eastern Solent had much better conditions for their first race,
with up to twelve knots of breeze. In Class Two David Murrin’s Cetewayo continued
her winning ways, beating Marc Busschots Ilderim into second. The real battle in
this class appeared to be for line honours between the two 8 Metre boats Ilderim
and The Earl of Cork and Orrery & D Glasgow’s Athena. As the owners of Athena
told us later we love our head to head battles with the team on Ilderim. There is a
rating difference but we don’t worry about IRC, we just want to beat them on the water.
When the two boats tied up close together after racing and were being packed away
the banter between the two crews was friendly but pointed as both teams gently
lampooned the other’s race mistakes. Beer and wine was broken out and the
conversations about their personal match race got more and more animated.
It is hard to believe that there are two teams having more fun at this regatta.
Photo: John Greenway
In Class Three Brian & Yvonne Turner’s Clarion of Wight finished second on the water
in the first race behind Tim Blackman’s Infanta but took the race win on corrected time.
One of the smallest boats in the fleet, the 1936 built 5 Metre Class Sensa owned by C
van Rijckevorsel, split Infanta and Clarion of Wight and claimed second place.
Photo: John Greenway
In Class Four Barry & Lorraine Bristow’s Foglio won the race on the water but had to
settle for third place on corrected behind Bill Hogg’s Zaleda in second and the ever
consistent Roger Dann aboard Leonie in first. Despite being relegated to third Barry
Bristow told us that he had enjoyed his day of racing. ‘The sun was shining and we
were going well thanks to our tactician Henry Bagnall who was only here because
he was standing in for his mum who normally sails with us. He was great and helped
us with the tides today.’
Photo: John Greenway
Provisional Results for Day Two:
Class Zero
Race 2
1st Wings
2nd Tuiga
3rd The Lady Anne
Class Two
Race Two
1st Cetewayo
2nd Ilderim
3rd Athena
Race Three
1st Athena
2nd Quiver V
3rd Pazienza
Class Three
Race Two
1st Clarion of Wight
2nd Sensa
3rd Infanta
Race Three
1st Infanta
2nd Charm of Rhu
3rd Josephine
Class Four
Race Two
1st Leonie
2nd Zaleda
3rd Foglio
Race Three
1st Sinbad of Abersoch
2nd A Day at the Races
3rd Foglio
All photos of this day by John Greenway
Racing continues for all fleets tomorrow (Thursday 24th July) when Classes
Two through Four will start at 1000 and sail two races. Class Zero boats are
scheduled for one race starting at 1100 from the Royal Yacht Squadron line.
As results, press releases and photographs become available during the regatta
they will be posted on the RCYC website at www.rcyc.co.uk . Video from the start
of the Class Zero boats on Monday and other images captured at the regatta can
be found on the Offshore Rules website at www.offshorerules.com .
All images attached to this individual press release are free for editorial use
only and must be credited to ‘John Greenway (www.marineaction.co.uk)’
Other images from the 2008 British Classic Yacht Club Regatta can be found
on the following photographer’s websites:
www.marineaction.co.uk
www.rick-tomlinson.com
The organisers of the 2008 British Classic Yacht Club Regatta are grateful for
the support of the following sponsor organisations: Azure Dragon, Ellen McArthur
Trust, Gassan, Harken, Mount Gay, Sandeman Yachts, SLAM, Spot Red, Traditional
Shipwright Services and The Waterside Pub.
For further information please contact:
Justin Chisholm
Press Officer
2008 BCYC Regatta
Email: justin@justinchisholmsolutions.com
Mobile: +447769 938722
Skype: justinchis
Press Release 3
Tuesday 22nd July
Day 2 of the 2008 British Classic Yacht Club Regatta at the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club.
Champagne sailing conditions for the Ladies Race at the 2008 British Classic Yacht Club
Regatta in Cowes.
The second day of the 2008 British Classic Yacht Club Regatta in Cowes dawned sunny
but windless, resulting in a postponement of the start of the Ladies Race. Given the long
day on the water yesterday, most crews were appreciative of the extra time for a leisurely
breakfast and a little more sleep. The more active competitors headed for the RCYC to
find out the results of the previous day’s Round the Island race. Yesterday’s course was
split into two races – from the start to St Catherine’s Point and another from St Catherine’s
to the finish off the RCYC line.
Ladies Day Photo: Nichola Aigner.
In the hotly contested Class Zero, after much discussion about who had and who had not
sailed the correct course, victory in Race 1a was awarded to Mariette with Tuiga taking
second and The Lady Anne in third. The second part of the race was won by Tuiga
followed by The Lady Anne and Mariquita.
In Class Two, despite being first home of all the fleets on the water, Guy Ribadeau
Dumas’s 12 Metre Wings had to settle for second place in Race 1a behind David
Murrin’s Cetewayo. Clive Emerson’s Lutine took third in both legs and
The Earl of Cork and Orrery & D Glasgow’s Athena took second in Race 1b.
Photo: Nichola Aigner.
The Class Three winner for Race 1a was David Messun’s Josephine ahead of Charm of
Rhu owned by Martin Thomas with C van Rijckevorsel’s Sensa taking third.
Class Four Race 1a was won by Roger Dann on Leonie with Lance Rowell’s
Dorothy in second and Alan Stannah’s Sally of Kames third. Dorothy stepped up a
gear to win race 1b ahead of Chris & Liz Day’s Thendara second and Kees
van der Klugt’s Tiger C third.
Today as noon approached the postponement flags were still flying and the BCYC
Commodore Tim Blackman sagely commented ‘We are now approaching the tipping
point. If we don’t go out on the water soon then the lure of the pubs and bars of Cowes
might prove too much for the sailors’. Accordingly, at around 1230 the fleet made their
move, away from temptation, out on to the Solent to wait and hope for breeze to fill in.
After a short wait, they were rewarded with the arrival of a steady thermal breeze
which quickly built to around sixteen knots, producing sailing champagne conditions
for the Ladies Race. Many of the lady skippers had fully entered into the spirit of the
day and were decked out in finery equalling the beauty of the yachts in their charge.
Aboard Lance Rowell’s 1894 Thames Rater Dorothy the crew were still on a high
from the previous day’s racing. Lance’s daughter Ali explains ‘We are really happy
because not only did we win the second leg of the race yesterday but this is the first
time that Dorothy had made it successfully around the Island in four attempts.
She is the oldest boat in our class and was built for the flat water of the Thames
so she doesn’t really behave herself in the waves that you usually get on a
Round the Island race. Yesterday we struggled a bit on the first half of the race
where it was a bit bumpy but we still managed to be second on corrected at
St Catherine’s. On the last leg in from the Needles we set our gennaker and
just flew home. The only downside of the race was that it needed to be a bit warmer
for proper bikini weather’. Helming Dorothy in today’s Ladies Race was Ali’s close
friend Jenny Deyes who told us that she only gets the chance to helm once each year.
‘We had a really bad start and first beat, but when we tuned downwind we picked up
loads of places. One of our problems was that we don’t have any instruments on board,
so our navigation, if you can call it that, was a bit shaky. We didn’t get lost but we sailed
a bit further on the tide than we needed to. We didn’t have any problems with sail handling
but we got involved with the Oyster regatta boats at one point. Rounding a buoy in close
quarters with a sixty footer when we are only thirty-three foot was a bit hairy’.
Dorothy finished a creditable fifth in Class Four.
Photo: Nichola Aigner.
Taking third in Class Four was Roger Dann’s beautiful 1953 Lion Class Leonie, with
Caroline Ross at the helm. ‘Caroline did very well for us today and admirably put up with
us shouting at her’ said Roger. ‘She only helms sporadically and more often than not it is
in a Laser 4000 which is nothing like our boat’. Leonie got a great start and was leading
her class around the first mark. Dann described their race ‘Conditions were perfect for
racing. We had plenty of wind and the sun was shining. We had a great battle with the
other Lion Class - Patrick Moreton’s Twilight and also Barrie Martin’s A Day at
the Races’. Leonie was lucky to be racing at all today having run hard aground during yesterday’s race. ‘We were trying to get into the shallows to get the advantageous tide
near Albert Fort when we overcooked it a little and were stuck fast on a falling tide.
It took a rib to pull off in the end’ commented a philosophical Dann.
Cetewayo Photo: Nichola Aigner.
Aboard the replica Bristol Pilot Cutter Polly Agatha Sally Finnamore was helming for her
first time in a race. ‘We finished last in Class Three but we had great fun’ she told us.
‘I am massively competitive and the boys had to keep me reigned in on the mark
roundings. We did pass three boats at one buoy though and we did lots of
overtaking downwind too’.
Results of the Ladies Race:
Class Two:
1st Cetewayo
2nd Ilderim
3rd Quiver V
Class Three:
1st Clarion of Wight
2nd Charm of Rhu
3rd Sensa
Class Four:
1st Sinbad of Abersoch
2nd Sally of Kames
3rd Leonie
This evening, in the last of the sunshine, the yacht’s crews enjoyed a barbeque with a
‘Naughtical’ theme at the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club. The fancy dress outfits were as
bizarre as they were entertaining but the conversation was all about another great day of
classic yacht racing in Cowes.
Racing continues for all fleets tomorrow (Wednesday 23rd July) when Classes Two
through Four will start at 1000 and sail two races. Class Zero boats are scheduled for one
race starting at 1200 from the Royal Yacht Squadron line.
As results, press releases and photographs become available during the regatta they will
be posted on the RCYC website at www.rcyc.co.uk . Video from the start of the Class Zero
boats on Monday and other images captured at the regatta can be found on the Offshore
Rules website at www.offshorerules.com .
All images attached to this individual press release are free for editorial use only and
must be credited to Nicky Aigner.
Other images from the 2008 British Classic Yacht Club Regatta can be found on the
following photographer’s websites:
www.rick-tomlinson.com
www.marineaction.co.uk
The organisers of the 2008 British Classic Yacht Club Regatta are grateful for the support
of the following sponsor organisations: Azure Dragon, Ellen McArthur Trust, Gassan, Harken,
Mount Gay, Sandeman Yachts, SLAM, Spot Red, Traditional Shipwright Services and The
Waterside Pub.
3 photos above: Nichola Aigner.
For further information please contact:
Justin Chisholm
M: +447769 938722
E: justin@justinchisholmsolutions.com
Skype: justinchis
Website: http://www.offshorerules.com
Press Release 2
Monday 21st July
Glorious conditions for the Round the Island Race on Day One of the 2008 British Classic Yacht Club Regatta at Cowes.
Conditions on the Solent could not have been more perfect this morning for the start of the Round the Island race, on the first day of the 2008 British Classic Yacht Club Classic Regatta. The forty-five classic yachts making up the regatta fleet were a marvellous spectacle, as under clear blue skies and in a ten to twelve knots northwesterly wind, they manoeuvred for optimum position on the Royal Yacht Squadron startline. Classes Four, Three and Two got underway successfully and with a strong tide whisking them down the Solent, they were soon out of sight of the shore based spectators.
Photo: Nichola Aigner.
Attention then turned to the start of the five Class Zero yachts. Wary of being caught over the line too early, the skippers of these huge boats had to think carefully about their strategies. In the minutes preceding their start each of the boats could be seen making a number of timed practice runs. At 0940, with the beautiful three-masted, 212’ schooner Adix (mothership to The Lady Anne) watching closely from her nearby mooring, it was the 125’ Mariquita who led the fleet away towards the Eastern Solent at a remarkable speed of thirteen knots over the ground. The colossal sail plan on Mariette (138’) comprised no less than seven individually trimmed sails, as she powered across the line in close company with Kelpie (60’), The Lady Anne (98’) and the Yacht Club De Monaco’s Tuiga (92’).
The fleet of classic yachts made fast progress towards the check in at St Catherine’s Point. With the breeze increasing at times to as much as eighteen knots, the crews were tested by the usual Round the Island Race challenges. Every headland and bay meant a decision whether to stay offshore or head in to try to find an advantage over the other boats. At St Catherine’s the fleet had compressed and the race team had their work cut out identifying the boats, taking times and acknowledging the boats radio transmissions. Having led the fleet to the Needles, it was the 12 Metre Wings, racing in Class Two, who also made it home first, crossing the RCYC finish line shortly after five o’clock. Several minutes behind came Mariette closely followed by Mariquita and The Lady Anne. Several hours later the last of the fleet drifted over the line on the tide, in the dying rays of the sun, at just before nine in the evening.
Tuiga rounding the Needles Photo: Nichola Aigner.
Despite the long day on the water, the pontoons were full of smiles and stories about a great race. For the RCYC Commodore Tim Blackman at the helm of Infanta racing in Class Three the conditions were glorious for racing around the Island. ‘The sun was shining and we pretty much had wind all day. There were big gains and losses to be made based on your tactical decisions. At several points there were wind holes, which it was vital to avoid. We got many things right but there also were times when we lost out to boats who had gone inshore when we had gone offshore or vice versa. When we got it right, for instance by skirting the edges of the ledges at one point, we took a great deal of time out of Ilderim and Lutine’. Infanta was the first boat home in her Class. ‘We are supposed to lead our fleet on the water’ commented Blackman. ‘Now it is just up to the mathematicians to establish how well we have done on handicap’.
Aboard the Class Zero boat Kelpie, bowman Adam Kaczor had an unwelcome incident to mark his twenty sixth birthday, when he was briefly knocked unconscious by the spinnaker pole. ‘I had been up on the bowsprit and moving back into the boat when suddenly the guy snapped and the pole fell very quickly. It caught me a glancing blow and knocked me out for a little while. I was soon back on my feet. Well I had to be – there wasn’t time for lying around!’
Tuiga Photo: Nichola Aigner.
On David Murrin’s Cetawayo their race strategy appeared to have worked well. ‘We were in good shape from the off’ commented Murrin. ‘We were going well in Sandown Bay, got in close to the shore and took a ton of boats by using the back eddy. So much so that we were leading our class on the water as we came around St Catherines. We had a bit of a sticky patch when the wind dropped down below ten knots, which our boat doesn’t like too much. This let the Metre boats catch up. After that we set our running kite and headed for Yarmouth. The breeze went quite tight and we ended up close reaching with the wrong kite but were still pulling away so we stuck with it. At Yarmouth we got the chance to peel to an asymmetric spinnaker and that was much better’. Murrin believes that sailing clockwise around the Island makes for a much more interesting race. ‘It’s very challenging. You need to think carefully about your entrances and exits to the obstacles. That’s where the big margins can be won or lost. Also going east about is good from a sentimental point of view. It’s how they used to do it and I think it is great for the classics to race that way around’.
Because of the late finish of the slower boats final results will not be published until tomorrow (Tuesday 21st July). Racing at the 2008 British Classic Yacht Club Regatta continues each day this week until Friday. Tomorrow Classes Two, Three and Four have a Ladies Race starting at 1100 from the Royal Yacht Squadron line. Class Zero take a day off tomorrow and will race again on Wednesday.
!5 Metre Class follow Mariette Photo: Nichola Aigner.
As results, press releases and photographs become available during the regatta they will be posted on the RCYC website at www.rcyc.co.uk . Video from the start of the Class Zero boats today can be found on the Offshore Rules website at www.offshorerules.com .
All images are free for editorial use only and must be credited to Nicky Aigner.
The organisers of the 2008 British Classic Yacht Club Regatta are grateful for the support of the following sponsor organisations: Azure Dragon, Ellen McArthur Trust, Gassan, Harken, Mount Gay, Sandeman Yachts, SLAM, Spot Red, Traditional Shipwright Services and The Waterside Pub.
For further information please contact:
Justin Chisholm
Press Officer
2008 BCYC Regatta
Email: justin@justinchisholmsolutions.com
Mobile: +447769 938722
Skype: justinchis
Tuiga Photo: Nichola Aigner.
Wings Photo: Nichola Aigner.
Mariquita Photo: Nichola Aigner.
Mariette Photo: Nichola Aigner.
Mariette Photo: Nichola Aigner.
Mariquita Photo: Nichola Aigner.
Mariette Photo: Nichola Aigner.
Kelpie Photo: Nichola Aigner.
Sunday 20th July
Press release
Classic yachts assemble in Cowes for 2008 British Classic Yacht Club Regatta
A spectacular fleet of classic yachts has gathered in Cowes, Isle of Wight, on the eve of 2008 British Classic Yacht Club Regatta hosted by the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club. The regatta’s forty-five strong entry makes it one of the largest gatherings of classic boats seen in the Solent since the America’s Cup Jubilee in 2001.
The fleet has been divided into four IRC classes with the largest yachts, Charlie Wroe’s Mariette (138’), James Thorn’s Mariquita (125’), Paul Goss & Richard Le May’s The Lady Anne (98’), the Yacht Club De Monaco’s Tuiga (92’) and Richard Bendy’s Kelpie (60’) all competing in Class Zero.
Class Two features ten entries, including the former America’s Cup challenger Sceptre, now cared for by the Sceptre Trust, along with David Murrin’s Cetewayo and Clive Emerson’s Lutine.
Among the fourteen boats racing in Class Three will be BCYC Commodore Tim Blackman’s Infanta, BCYC Secretary David Orton’s St David’s Light, as well as the former Morning Cloud II, which under the ownership of Peter Wright, has been fully restored and renamed Opposition.
With fifteen competitors, Class Four is the largest of the fleets and includes, amongst others, Adam Gosling’s Sinbad of Abersoch, Barrie Martin’s aptly named A Day at the Races as well as Chris & Liz Day’s Thendara.
A characteristically civilised atmosphere permeated the pontoons this afternoon as the crews busied themselves with registration, final preparations for the week of racing ahead, as well as taking time out to wander the pontoons, meet their fellow competitors and swap classic yacht war stories. At this evening’s race briefing, Peter Morton the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club’s Rear Commodore Sailing, welcomed the competitors and wished them a great week on the water after which Principal Race Officer, Tony Lovell, gave the sailors an overview of the regatta sailing instructions. Later the owners, skippers and crews enjoyed the Mount Gay sponsored Welcome Reception.
Racing begins tomorrow with a Long Inshore Race for all four classes, which, if conditions are suitable, will send the yachts East about on a Round the Island course. Racing is scheduled for every day during the rest of the week and includes a Ladies Race for divisions two to four on Tuesday.
As results, press releases and photographs become available during the regatta they will be posted on the RCYC website at www.rcyc.co.uk .
The organisers of the 2008 British Classic Yacht Club Regatta are grateful for the support of the following sponsor organisations: Azure Dragon, Ellen McArthur Trust, Gassan, Harken, Mount Gay, Sandeman Yachts, SLAM, Spot Red, Traditional Shipwright Services and The Waterside Pub.
For further information please contact: Justin Chisholm, Press Officer,2008 BCYC Regatta. Email: justin@justinchisholmsolutions.com
Mariquita and other classics Photo courtesy Beken of Cowes
For further information click here.
For more images of the BCYC Regatta see Nicky Aigner's website at www.nicholaaigner.com
For more images by other well known photographers :
http://www.beken.co.uk and click on 'The Day's photography' and scroll down to:
'Jul 2008 Classics'
http://www.craigdavisphoto.com/cowes1
