Day one at British Classic Week in Cowes saw fast-paced racing around the cans sponsored by Spirit Yachts for over 50 classic and modern classic yachts.
Organised by the British Classic Yacht Club with race management by the Royal Yacht Squadron (RYS), British Classic Week brings together some of the finest classic and modern classic yachts from across the UK and Europe.
Northerly winds gusting 22 knots saw racing delayed by an hour for Classes 1 to 5. Starting on the RYS line to the west in a short Solent chop, Classes 4 and 5 set off on a 10nm course upwind with the tide to The Boss.
Rounding The Boss to port, it was champagne sailing with spinnakers up as the sun broke through on the downwind leg to Monex Marine. Rounding the mark to port, Classes 4 and 5 sailed a short leg to the east along the Isle of Wight shore to Salt Mead.
Rounding Salt Mead to starboard, Classes 4 and 5 set off upwind across the Solent to West Lepe, followed by a powered-up reach with the turning tide to Cowes Week. Bearing away around West Lepe some yachts hoisted kites for a broad reach back to the RYS line.
Owner of Race 1, Class 5 winner Timoa, Andrew Gilmour, commented, “Good call by Peter Saxton (PRO) and the team to delay the start to let the front go through. Great sailing in sunshine and around 15kn of shifty breeze from the north. Sailing short legs at all angles to the wind suited the classics - a great day on the water.”
Sailing a similar course, Classes 1 to 3 set off on class starts from the RYS line to The Boss. It was a fantastic spectacle for passing cruising yachts with everything from modern classic Spirit Yachts to 36m gaff ketch Cariad and the iconic 1929 staysail schooner Viveka owned by Sir Keith Mills.
Rounding The Boss to port, the yachts hoisted spinnakers and sailed a stunning downwind leg in 10-12 knots to Monex Marine. Dropping spinnakers and rounding up around Monex Marine to starboard, it was a reach on to Newton East. A series of windward leeward legs followed, before Classes 1 to 3 sailed a long reach homeward from Zwerver to Cowes Week, where spinnakers were hoisted for the final leg of the 18nm course to the RYS line.
Upon arrival back at the dock, regatta sailors were treated to Nyetimber sparkling wine courtesy of Pantaenius Sail and Motor Yacht Insurance.
Race 1 was won by Spirit 52 Flight of Durgan in Class 1, Viveka in Class 2, Regatta Chairman Giovanni Belgrano in Whooper won Class 3 (by only 37 seconds on corrected time), West Solent One Design Enchanted took Class 4, and Stella Timoa won Class 5.
