Thanks to Suzanne and Alan for this update from the Panerai British Classic Week. Ed
Despite a lack of wind causing the cancellation of the prestigious Round the Island race there were nonetheless six races during the Panerai British Classic Week.
There were 43 entries for the event based in Cowes Yacht Haven run under the auspices of the British Classic Yacht Club which was formed in 2002.
Local Admiral
Ryde resident Tim Blackman was co-founder of the club, along with David Murrin. Tim, who was sailing ‘Infanta’ this year, was the inaugural Commodore and is now Admiral.
David is the current Commodore and was campaigning aboard Cetawayo (ex Zulu). Both of them were competing in Class 2.
David told us how a decade ago wooden boats had lost favour and many had been neglected and left to rot. Many owners were real enthusiasts. To join the B.C.Y.C. boats needed to be in the 40-60 foot range.
Louise Morton took Ladies title
‘Clarionet’ (sail number K195), a one tonner built by Lallows of Cowes in 1966, has tasted success in the Fastnet Race. Competing in Class 3 ‘Clarionet’ could boast the highest place for a lady racing on Tuesday. Cowes resident Louise Morton took the helm for the day winning the title in the process.
A long inshore race was the order of day five at Panerai British Classic Week with the fleet enjoying a massed start off Cowes followed by a 27 mile course that took them as far west as East Leap and as far east as North Stourbridge.
Murdoch McKillop’s ‘Saskia’ was the boat of the day in every sense winning both Class 2 and claiming victory in the overall race where she beat Sean McMillan’s ‘Flight of Ufford’. In Class 2 ‘Saskia’ won her race by an impressive ten-minute margin over ‘Athena’ with David Murrin’s ‘Cetewayo’ in third. As a result ‘Saskia’, a 1931 William Fife 8 Metre, led the class and with only four points separating the top four overall an exciting conclusion to the regatta was expected.
‘Saskia’ rated the top performing boat
‘Flight of Ufford’ claimed victory amongst the modern classics of Class One while, now without Louise on board, Sam Laidlaw and Rob Gray’s ‘Clarionet’ continued her winning streak in Class Three.
After racing on Friday the boats brought the discard into play on completion of the event. ‘Saskia’ was rated the top performing boat overall for as well as topping Class 2 she took a trio of other trophies. In all ‘Saskia’ won four of the six races in her class.
Placings
Overall placings in the main categories were:
Class1: 1-‘Meteor’ 2-‘Flight of Ufford’ 3-Phantom
Class2: 1-‘Saskia’ 2-‘Athena’ 3-‘ Cetawayo’
Tim Blackman’s ‘Infanta’ ( a Bermudan Yawl ) retired in race one. Took sixth place in race four and was placed fifth in the other four races.
Class3: 1-‘Clarionet’ 2-Gluckauf’ 3-Charm of Rhu
Class4: 1 ‘ Cereste’ 2- ‘Danegeld’ 3-‘Beeleigh’.
