Thanks to Alan and Suzanne for this update on the Brewin Dolphin Commodores’ Cup. In their own words. Ed
British Trials to select this year’s GBR teams for the Brewin Dolphin Commodores’ Cup were run by the Royal Yachting Association and based on two events, the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s Morgan Cup offshore race and the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club’s Vice Admiral’s Cup.
These events proved to be the most competitive ever with 17 boats gunning for the 12 available slots.
With the 12 boats chosen they were divided into four teams by a selection panel comprising RYA Chairman and Head of the Selectors, Stacey Clark, Yachting Secretary of the Royal Yacht Squadron, Chris Mason and Cowes Week CEO, Stuart Quarrie.
Straight points calculation
Selections and the subsequent team divisions were determined on a straight points calculation following the two events, the only exception being the two Ker 40s, Jonathan Goring’s Keronimo and Andrew Pearce’s Magnum III, which were unable both to make the top team, GBR Red, as only one ‘big’ boat per team is permitted.
So GBR Red this year will comprise Jonathan Goring’s Ker 40, Keronimo, Andrew Williams’ Mills 39, Dignity, and Mike West’s Archambault 35, Eaujet – and they will be hoping to repeat the success of their forebears in 2008 when GBR Red last won the Commodores’ Cup.
Three other teams
Team GBR White: Joopster (J/122), Magnum III (Ker 40), Philosophie (Beneteau First 40.7)
Team GBR Blue: Incognito (Beneteau 40.7), La Reponse (First 40), Premier Flair (Elan 410).
Team GBR Black: Cobra (King 40), Salvo (Corby 33), Yeoman of Wight (J/109).
The smallest boat in the GBR line-up is Peter Morton’s Salvo, the Corby 33 that won the Scottish Series two years ago. She will be competing in July in GBR Black alongside the British Keelboat Academy on David Aisher’s J/109 Yeoman of Wight and Cobra, the King 40 campaigned by Commodores’ Cup first timers, the father and son team of Mike and Seb Blair.
To assist the GBR teams the RYA has appointed Nigel King to be Team Manager. Nigel King has long experience as a coach, that has in the past ranged from Dee Caffari’s Vendee Globe campaign to the Volvo/RYA keelboat programme.
Image: © Fiona Brown
