Please select your home edition
Edition
Hyde Sails 2024 - One Design

Charles Stanley Cowes Classics Week - Day 3

by Marina Johnson 23 Jul 2015 14:48 PDT 21-24 July 2015

Lighter winds greeted the four committee boat race areas in the mid-Solent this morning as they prepared their windward leeward courses for the first race of the day for the one design classic keelboats taking part in Charles Stanley Cowes Classics Week.

The XODs – and their race ream – certainly had their work cut out today. A different course for each of the three races had to be laid to reflect changing conditions and time constraints due to "the over eagerness the fleet today!" according to Race Officer Bob Milner "We had a general recall in each race and a U flag for the second starts, while in the final race we had to go to a black flag start to really keep the fleet back." Wins were shared out amongst the fleet today to Roger Yeoman in X50 Xcitation, Jeremy Baker and Max Crowe in X33 Clair de Lune, and in an astonishing coup amongst the 60-strong fleet, identical twins and stars of the XOD fleet Adrian and Stuart Jardine came first and second respectively in their yachts X140 Lucrezia and X119 Lone Star.

A short postponement was in place on the start line for the six vintage 6 metres, waiting for the breeze to steady, but once under way the class was quickly dominated once again by Fenton Burgin, in Sioma who has been enjoying a clean sweep of races through the week.

Just behind them in the starting sequence the Daring Class got the first of three races of the day underway. Course legs were slightly shorter to reflect the lighter airs and a second race was under way in no time, allowing Magnus Wheatley in Destroyer to consolidate his position with two wins and a 4th, putting him one place behind Richard Ottaway's Decoy who holds onto first position overall after seven races.

For one day only the Seaview Mermaids paid a visit to the event, cruising the short distance to Cowes from their home port at the east of the Island. Each has their distinctive and exclusive bright hull colour, and the fleet has been racing in the Solent for over 100 years. All 13 yachts of the current fleet whose home is at the Seaview Yacht Club, came to the start line today, and the club members, who charter the boats, clearly race keenly and regularly judging by the closeness of the fleet.

Jo and Cathy Burnie in their Solent Sunbeam Fleury have been repeating their winning ways of last year's event. The one-design, which was designed in 1923, has a very active and optimised fleet based at Itchenor Sailing Club. Two wins today in the first two races added to their straight first places of the event so far, with a 2nd in today's last race. Jo, who helms the boat, said "We've had some challenging conditions this week but today's racing was steadier in terms of wind strength." He adds "We are coming off the line fast. Positioning ourselves early at the port hand end and bagging our spot seems to pay off. With a fleet that has such an even speed, this really makes a difference."

Once again a shore line at the organising Royal London Yacht Club was the start area for two non-one design classic classes, and one of the two gaffer classes. Race Officer Derek Hodd reported a 20 degree windshift just before the starting sequence began, necessitating a hasty change in the planned course, but the new wind set in to stay for all three classes. The 55ft Quailo and Nicholson 32 Beltana were both over the line at their Red Fleet start but quickly returned while Caroline Aisher's Lennie and Ted Fort OBE's Pippa, both in Spirit of Tradition Tofinous were first and second respectively.

A downwind start in the direction of East Bramble meant a slow beat against the tide for the Blue Fleet but with only one race in the day victory was soon assured to Bob Fisher and Barry Dunning's 120-old Rosenn once again. "The course was quite tactical and competitors really had to pay attention to the tides," said Derek.

Thanks go to title sponsor Charles Stanley and supporting sponsors Hudson Wight, Harken, Haines Boatyard, Winkworth, Cowes Harbour Commission, nms marketing, Kendalls, The Yachting Studio, and Classic Boat Magazine.

Racing concludes tomorrow (Thursday).

Full results at www.cowesclassicsweek.org

Related Articles

Crew dynamics will be decisive in Course des Caps
Just two days to go before the start of the first race of the eagerly-awaited 2025 IMOCA season With just two days to go before the start of the first race of the eagerly-awaited 2025 IMOCA season, all eyes are on Boulogne-Sur-Mer as 11 crews prepare to race around the British Isles in the Course des Caps-Boulogne sur Mer-Banque Populaire du Nord. Posted today at 7:02 pm
2025 Marion to Bermuda Race concludes
Celebrating the remarkable seamanship and sportsmanship of every team After days of strategic sailing, shifting winds, and open-ocean challenges, the results are in—and we're proud to celebrate the remarkable seamanship and sportsmanship of every team that took part. Posted today at 6:49 pm
29th Superyacht Cup Palma day 2
Linnea Aurora turns the tables as it gets tight at the top A bigger and better breeze welcomed the racing fleet on the second day of the Superyacht Cup Palma 2025, resulting in full-tilt sailing around the 23nm five-leg racecourse. Posted today at 6:16 pm
CYCS 2025 Tiedemann Classics Regatta preview
Bringing together some of the most beautiful yachts on the water The Classic Yacht Owners Association's annual Classic Yacht Challenge Series (CYCS) kicks off a summer of stunning northeastern sailing with the 2025 Tiedemann Classics Regatta this weekend. Posted today at 5:39 pm
Kieler Woche Day 8
Mourniac & Retornaz take the lead in the Nacra 17 class A dream day ahead of the second weekend at the Kieler Woche regatta off Schilksee: Moderate to fresh westerly winds with strong gusts, alternating sun and clouds, provided ideal sailing conditions for all participants on Friday. Posted today at 5:18 pm
J/70 Mixed-Plus Worlds at Lake Garda Day 2
Spanish team Yupi top the leaderboard Friday was the second day of racing in Torbole for the inaugural J/70 Mixed-Plus World Championship. Although the "Ora" breeze was lighter than yesterday, it didn't disappoint; it blew steadily enough to deliver three fair, fun and hard-fought races. Posted today at 4:58 pm
SailGP: Roger Federer inspires Swiss SailGP team.
Roger Federer joins forces with Switzerland SailGP Team to inspire success One of Switzerland's greatest sporting icons, Roger Federer, features in the newest episode of Racing on the Edge, SailGP's official behind-the-scenes docuseries, produced in partnership with Rolex. Posted today at 4:26 pm
44Cup Marstrand 2025 day 3
Gale force winds batter the west coast of Sweden With gale force winds battering the west coast of Sweden, racing had to be cancelled on day three of the 44Cup Marstrand. Posted today at 1:33 pm
Francesca Clapcich to co-skipper Team Malizia
In the Course des Caps round Britain & Ireland Race Italian/American offshore sailor Francesca Clapcich will join Malizia-Seaexplorer as co-skipper for the inaugural edition of the Course des Caps-Boulogne sur Mer - Banque Populaire du Nord. Posted today at 12:56 pm
Team Be Water Positive The Ocean Race Europe crew
Scott Shawyer will skipper Team Be Water Positive in the fully crewed offshore challenge this summer Canada Ocean Racing - Team Be Water Positive today announces its 2025 The Ocean Race Europe crew led by Canadian skipper Scott Shawyer and featuring five other accomplished names in offshore sailing. Posted today at 11:54 am
Hyde Sails 2024 - One DesignSea Sure 2025Rooster 2025