RORC De Guingand Bowl Race - Part of the Team GBR selection Trials

by Louay Habib on 7 May 2010 Organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club in association with the Royal Yacht Squadron, this year’s De Guingand Bowl Race takes on extra significance for yachts vying for selection for Team GBR at the forthcoming Rolex Commodores’ Cup, as it is the only offshore race officially in the trials. A highly competitive fleet will start the race on Saturday 15th May.

In IRC Super Zero Nigel Passmore’s TP52, Apollo, will be looking to add to their class win for the Cervantes Trophy Race, in a head to head duel with the British Keelboat Academy’s TP52, John Merricks II. The two boats were virtually match-racing last time they went offshore and a great battle is on the cards.

IRC Zero includes Mike Greville’s Ker 39, Erivale III, who will be looking to repeat their class win from their last outing. Michael Bartholomew's King 40, Tokoloshe, makes a welcome entry into the RORC Season’s Points Championship. Bartholomew confirmed that Tokoloshe will be part of a South African Rolex Commodores’ Cup team and the De Guingand Bowl Race will provide excellent offshore competition.

IRC One has several Rolex Commodores’ Cup trialists entered including: RORC Commodore Andrew McIrvine and Peter Morton’s First 40, La Réponse, Ex RORC Commodore Peter Rutter’s Grand Soleil 43, Quokka 8
Paul Turner’s Grand Soleil 43, Artemis, Jim MacGregor’s Elan 410, Premier Flair, Steve Anderson’s First 40.7, Encore.

Also of note is that Sailing Logic has two Reflex 38s entered including Cervantes Trophy holder, Visit Malta Puma.

In IRC Two Noel Racine’s JPK 10.10, Foggy Dew will be one to watch but this class is very competitive indeed. Chris and Hannah Neve’s First 35, No Chance, Mike Moxley’s HOD 35, Steve Northmore and Chris Arscott’s A 35, Waterjet.co.uk, David Aisher’s J 109, Yeoman of Wight, and Lance Adams’ Corby 33, Banshee are all Rolex Commodores’ Cup trialists. Nick and Suzi Jones’ First 34.7, Astarte, is always well sailed.

The 2010 De Guingand Bowl Race looks set to be highly competitive, for more information go to the Royal Ocean Racing Club web site: www.rorc.org