British Classic Yacht Club Paneri Cowes Regatta 2010 - final day

by Justin Chisholm on 25 Jul 2010 Although light airs prevailed on the final day of the British Classic Yacht Club Panerai Cowes Regatta, there was just enough wind for the single scheduled race to be started on time at midday.

The fifty-two-boat fleet was bathed in glorious sunshine for the entire race, giving the flock of international photographers who have been in attendance all week, a final chance to capture the beauty of this unique gathering of classic racing yachts. Always forecast to be fickle at best, the wind disappeared almost completely at times towards the end of the race, making for a long and frustrating final day for many of the competitors.

Two boats did however manage to make better progress than the rest. In Class 1, the Spirit 54 Sloop, Soufriere, finished over an hour ahead of the next boat, unsurprisingly giving her a comprehensive race win on corrected time. In Class 2, the one the water winning margin was even greater for the 1937 12 Metre, Wings, who also took the race win on corrected time.

In Class 3, the crew of the 1929 International 30 Square Metre, Gluckauf, were left ruing a premature start which had earned them a three percent time penalty. Despite finishing well clear of the fleet their error effectively handed first place to the 1963 built St. David’s Light on corrected time. In Class 4, the light conditions seemed to suit the 1897 Cork Harbour One-Design Gaff Cutter, Jap, which ghosted to a comfortable final race victory.

Talking after the conclusion of racing on the final day and reflecting on a highly successful event, Adam Gosling, Chairman of the Regatta Committee had this to say. ‘It couldn’t have gone better really. We’ve had fantastic weather, the racing has been as tight as ever and the quality of the boats has been even better than usual.’

Given the introduction of Panerai as a title sponsor this year, what plans were there for the future of this regatta? ‘Panerai are a great sponsor and have brought a little more style to the event which has allowed us to improve the quality of the onshore activities in particular.

In terms of future aspirations, we believe the secret is quality not quantity. The sailors will tell you, they love this event and they love coming to Cowes. That’s why they come back each year. We don’t need this event to become the biggest in the world, we just need it to become the best event.’

Despite having had such a slow day on the water, the entire fleet did make it back ashore in good time to prepare for the evening’s regatta dinner and prizegiving at the nearby Royal Yacht Squadron. In the overall series standings, the Spirit Trophy for first place in Class 1 went to Soufriere. First in Class 2 and receiving the Lutine Cup was the 1957 Sloop, Cetewayo, who was also received the Moonbeam Trophy for overall victory in the long distance race. Overall winner of Class 3 was the 1904 Clyde 30 Linear, Mikado, who received the Corinthian Cup. Winner of the Class 4 series was Jap, who received the Commodores’ Cup.

In addition to the individual trophies, each of the class winners were delighted to receive a beautiful vintage Panerai Instrument.

The 1985 12 Metre, Italia, received the Sea Dragon Island Trophy for taking overall line honours in Wednesday’s long distance race. The Lallow Cup for best-presented new entrant, went to the 1898 Gaff Cutter, Kismet. The International Metre Trophy for the highest placed Metre Boat, was awarded to Wings. The Brian Keelan Memorial Trophy for the highest placed Gaffer, went to Jap. The Universal 8 Cup for the highest placed 8 Metre was won by, If.

The British Classic Yacht Club Panerai Cowes Regatta 2010 overall first prize went to Cetewayo. As overall winner of the long distance race and the overall regatta Cetewayo’s owner, British Classic Yacht Club Commodore David Murrin, was presented with two spectacular Panerai watches. In a well-received gesture of generosity, David immediately announced that he would be donating one of the watches to his favourite charity, the Special Boat Service.

Full results are posted on the BCYC website: www.britishclassicyachtclub.org/regatta








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Daily results and press releases will be posted on the official regatta website at: www.britishclassicyachtclub.org/regatta