Joseph Perrier Regatta - Champagne flows at Royal Southern Yacht Club

by Louay Habib on 18 Jul 2016 2016 Joseph Perrier July Regatta - With a stiff south westerly breeze and sparkling sunshine, the first day of the Joseph Perrier July Regatta really was champagne sailing for the impressive fleet taking part in the third regatta of the Royal Southern Yacht Club series sponsored by Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.

The regatta incorporated the J/111 European Championship, which went right to the wire with the champion decided on the very last race. Chris Jones' Journeymaker II scored two bullets to lead the class after the first day of racing, but three straight bullets from Martin Dent's Jelvis, on the second day, secured the European Championship for the Scottish skipper’s young team.

'This was yet another weekend of very close racing ... All the boats were sailing well, every mark rounding we were in company, and if you made a mistake you would let somebody through: yes it’s competitive, but there is a fantastic spirit in the fleet… there’s healthy rivalry and banter in equal proportion between the teams. We are now looking forward to the Pre-Worlds, Worlds and then straight into Cowes Week… 14 days of continuous J/111 sailing: it just doesn’t get any better than that!'

Chris Body racing Mocking Jay had a great battle in the Mixed Sportsboat Class. Placing third in class after the first day. J/80 Mocking Jay scored a win and a second to lead the fleet on countback. Mocking Jay won the last race to take the class win. Alec and Clarey Russell's SB20 Ethel was second and first day leader, Jo Gillespie, racing Viper 640 V1 was third. “Two days of great sailing, rewarded with a magnum of Joseph Perrier, so I am not complaining.” Smiled Mocking Jay's Chris Body.

In IRC One, King 40 Nifty owned by Roger Bowden and skippered by Sam Cox, scored five wins in the six race series, to win a competitive class of 12 yachts. Mike Wallis' J/122 Jahmali was always pushing hard and scored a podium place in every race to take second place… Mike Blair's King 40 Cobra, which will shortly represent Great Britain in the Brewin Dolphin Commodores' Cup, was third.

In IRC Two, Simon Perry's J/109 Jiraffe scored their first ever regatta win, Team Jiraffe shouted with joy as they crossed the line and second place HOD 35 Malice, skippered by Mike Moxley, congratulated the winners via VHF.

In IRC Three, Andy Howe and Annie Kelly's dream season continued with yet another win with their J/97 Blackjack II. Last year the couple won the Barbados Tourism Marketing prize of flights and a holiday on the Caribbean Island, and their performance this year certainly puts the team in the frame once more for the magnificent prize.

Mustang 30 Respect were the winners. “It would be great to see more small IRC boats out racing.” commented John Danby. “This weekend, there were quite a few regattas on which clashed but I am hoping for a big turn-out for the Royal Southern's September Regatta, to finish the series off with a great event.”

In the Contessa 32 Class, Raymond Rouse's Blanco was the winner. In the J/70 Class Alan Higgs' ESF Energy won by a single point from Jack Davies' Yeti and Andy Hamlett picked up the Joseph Perrier Champagne in the XOD Class.

Royal Southern Commodore, Chris Mansfield officiated at the Prize Giving, which was well attended in the Upper Bar at the Royal Southern Yacht Club. The Commodore introduced Martin Gammon, Joseph Perrier Champagne UK Director who presented winners with generous prizes of. Joseph Perrier champagne.

The final regatta of the Royal Southern Yacht Club series will be the September Regatta, which will include the One Ton Cup for the FAST40+ Class. The One Ton Cup is steeped in history and reputation in the world of yacht racing. Created by the Cercle de la Voile de Paris in 1899, 15 FAST40+ yachts are expected as part of the Royal Southern Yacht club's September Regatta.

The fourth regatta will decide the winner of the 'Champion of Champions' Trophy. The winner will also receive complimentary flights to Barbados with hotel accommodation for two at Island Inn Hotel from16th Jan-23rd Jan. They also take part in the Barbados Week sailing events, the highlight being the Mount Gay Round Island Race in January 2017.