Thanks to Suzanne and Alan for this update for all you sailing fans. Ed
GBR Brewin Dolphin Commodores’ Cup triallists took the honours in the Morgan Cup with wins for Magnum III in IRC 1, La Reponse in IRC 2 and Eaujet in IRC 3.
The Morgan Cup Race started from the RYS line, Cowes in the early morning of Saturday 5th May in a cold, north-easterly wind and under a grey, overcast sky. There was not much improvement in the weather throughout the race which had a course that included Anvil Point and the Owers.
A taste of what was to come
A first leg took the fleet downwind to Anvil Point and the DZB Buoy. This quick run saw boat speeds exceeding 10 knots even for the smaller boats, but this couldn’t last forever and on the way back from DZB to just south of Freshwater Bay, the competitors got a first taste of what was waiting for them.
Andrew Pearce and the crew of Magnum III made a spectacular start to their offshore campaign on the new Ker 40, taking IRC 1 and the Overall win in the Morgan Cup, narrowly beating her sister boat, Jonathan Goring’s Keronimo.
La Response champion of IRC 2 Class
In IRC 2, Andrew McIrvine’s La Reponse won the class, making a great start to their Brewin Dolphin Commodores’ Cup trials.
Another boat having an outstanding race was Eaujet, Mike West’s A35 being sailed by Paul Worswick, who won IRC 3 by quite some margin, nearly an hour on corrected time.
Antigua Sailing Week
During the Antigua Sailing Week sailed, in contrast to the Solent, with sun and blue skies a boat belonging to Cowes based OnDeck was damaged.
On day four of the regatta there was a collision between Ondeck’s Farr 65, Spirit of Isis and the Oyster 82, Starry Night of the Caribbean.
Peter Anthony, Chairman of Ondeck commented: “During the first race one of our yachts, Spirit of Isis, was involved in a port and starboard incident with Oyster 82, Starry Night that caused serious damage to our Farr 65 and put an end to its continuation in the regatta. I would like to thank Antigua & Barbuda Search & Rescue and Antigua Coastguard, as well as a boat from the Antigua Sailing Week Organising Committee, for their swift response and assistance.”
Following on from this regatta some boats sail from Antigua to Portsmouth. This race was planned to commence on Thursday, 10th May and is known as the Atlantic Challenge. It occurs annually following Antigua Sailing Week.
RYA Sail for Gold
July 21 is RYA Sail for Gold ‘Push the Boat Out’ day when the Royal Yachting Association is asking boaters across the country to take to the water to showcase sailing to the nation and show their support for our Olympic sailors prior to the London 2012 Games.
One of the local clubs that has risen to the challenge is Bembridge Sailing Club, just one of almost 100 clubs from across the country.
A mass rally of yachts and dinghies either around St Helen’s Fort or out to No Man’s Land Fort, depending on the weather is planned.
Image: © Rick Tomlinson Photography
