CERESTE WINS 20TH BRITISH CLASSIC WEEK

This year’s British Classic Week, hosted by British Classic Yacht Club in Cowes, was won by Robert Clark designed Bermudan sloop Cereste.

Above: overall regatta winners Cereste

Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, British Classic Week attracted 50 classic sailing and motor yachts for a week of sailing, cruising, and socialising in the Solent.  Yachts ranged from 19.6m Spirit 65 modern classic Chloe Giselle down to the smallest yacht in the fleet, a 7.7m folkboat named Folkdance sailed by a double-handed crew.

Above: Robert Clark 10 tonner Cereste, helmed by owner Jonathan Dyke

Winner of Class 4 and the regatta overall, Jonathan Dyke (owner of Cereste), commented, “It was a truly memorable week of great sailing and dockside parties, a fantastic celebration of an eclectic fleet of beautifully maintained classic yachts.  As always at British Classic Week our fellow yachts were extremely well sailed, and we had some tough competition on the water.  We will be back next year!”

The fleet of sailing yachts competed in a six-race series overseen by the Royal Yacht Squadron.  The week comprised three round the cans races, two passage races and a female-helmed inshore race.  With weather conditions ranging from very light breeze earlier in the week up to 20+ knots on the final day, the racing was hard fought, and the overall results reflected the level of competitiveness and sailing talent on the water.

Above: Fife gaff cutter Viola

 Class 1 was won by Sean McMillan in his Spirit 52 Flight of Ufford, only 1 point ahead of Christian Oldendorff’s Happy Forever.  Equally competitive was Class 2, which was narrowly won by Louise Morton in her Andre Mauric sloop Lak II.  With four wins in class to her name, Stiletto triumphed in Class 3.

Above: all smiles onboard Lak II

One of the smallest yachts in the fleet, Stella Timoa, won both the Spirit Yachts Nab Tower and the Classic Boat Long Inshore races.

Hot off the heels of the Fife Regatta in Scotland, the beautiful gaff cutter Viola returned to British Classic Week from her home in France to win the Je Ne Sais Quoi trophy overall.

Above: Stella Timoa

The skipper of Viola commented, “A heart-warming welcome, great organisation, and fantastic sailing in the Solent.”

The social scene was as lively as the action on the water, with Suffolk based brewery Adnams providing post-racing Kobold beers for the fleet and daily champagne for the race winners.  Hattiers Rum and Dartmouth Gin proved popular with competitors in delivering drinks direct to yachts as they crossed the finish line of the long inshore race.  Tuesday’s Pontoon Party sponsored by Classic Boat with live music and dockside drinks from Hattiers Rum and Dartmouth Gin was once again a highlight of the week.

Above: Dartmouth Gin drinks drop on the finish line

Further event support came from Suffolk Yacht Harbour and traditional chandlery Classic Marine.  OneSails GBR and Global Forecaster both sponsored a day’s racing each.  Tall Ships Youth Trust returned as the regatta’s charity partner to raise awareness and funds for its work to support disadvantaged and disabled young people across the UK. 

Above: relaxing on the dock at Cowes Yacht Haven

British Classic Week will be back next year from 15th - 22nd July 2023.

STELLA TIMOA WINS THE LONG INSHORE ON DAY FIVE AT BRITISH CLASSIC WEEK

Day five of British Classic Week saw Stella Timoa win the Long Inshore Race sponsored by Classic Boat magazine.   This was Timoa’s second passage race win of the week following the Nab Tower Race victory on day two.

With 5-6 knots from the south east, the fleet started on the combined line to the east with the tide.  Spinnakers were hoisted as the yachts crossed the line and meandered down to Royal Yacht Squadron.

As the first yachts in the fleet approached Royal Yacht Squadron to round the mark to starboard, spinnakers were dropped for the reach across to Kemps Quay.  As the leg began, the wind shifted and the reach became a beat, with much of the fleet becalmed in a wind hole in the middle of the Solent.

The tide slowly took the yachts down onto Kemps Quay, which they rounded to starboard.  The wind filled in from the east as the fleet reached across the tide to the north shore and went upwind in 8-9 knots, creeping up the shore out of the oncoming tide.

Rounding Howden Fastnet to port, the fleet reached back across the Solent in the declining breeze where the Royal Yacht Squadron committee boat was waiting at Contessa 32 to finish the feet on a shortened the course.

Andrew Gilmour, owner of yacht Timoa, commented, “It was an intense race, we had to watch the wind all the time as it was constantly flicking around, with the yachts all bunched together and looking for clean air.  It was a great challenging race, and you couldn’t rest for a minute.”

Spirit 37 Strega won Class 1, Whooper won Class 2, Fife gaff cutter Viola won Class 3, and Stella Timoa took first in Class 4.

Crews were rewarded at the end of the race with Hattiers Rum cocktails and Dartmouth Gin and tonics dropped to their yachts as they made their way back into Cowes.

SHIFTING WINDS AROUND THE CANS ON DAY THREE AT BRITISH CLASSIC WEEK

The 20th British Classic Week continued with class racing around the cans sponsored by OneSails GBR on day three of the regatta.

All classes started on the Royal Yacht Squadron inner line to the east against the tide.  The forecast started as predicted with 15-18 knots from the south west as Classes 1 and 2 set off on the upwind leg to Kemp’s Quay.

From Kemp’s Quay to port, spinnakers were hoisted for the downwind leg with the tide to North Ryde Middle.  With the mark out of the water on a barge for maintenance, Classes 1 and 2 rounded the barge to port and set off upwind to Mother Bank in 13-15 knots from the south west.

Rounding Mother Bank to starboard, Classes 1 and 2 raced downwind in the sunshine to Goodall Roofing.  Hot work for the foredeck crew as kites were packed in the by now sweltering conditions on the upwind leg to Peel Bank.

Rounding Peel Bank to starboard, the yachts set off on what they thought was their third downwind leg.  By now, the wind had dropped to 3-5 knots and the Solent started to look like a millpond, before a light breeze swung round and filled in from the north east for the (now) upwind leg to Royal Thames.  From Royal Thames it was a last-minute dash across to Snowden in the Medina River estuary before a short run in the re-established south westerly to finish on the RYS line.

Classes 3 and 4 experienced a similar pattern of events on their course from the start to South East Ryde Middle.  Rounding the mark to port, it was a champagne sail downwind to YachtDataBank and an upwind leg back up to Quarr, just off Wooton Creek.  Round Quarr to starboard the downwind leg breeze died and swung round to the north east for the upwind leg to West Ryde Middle, before the wind direction changed again to make it a run into the finish on the RYS line.

John Parker from OneSails GBR (East) said, “This is my fifteenth British Classic Week, and it continues to be one of the highlights of my sailing calendar.  I really enjoy the relaxed, social vibe combined with the Corinthian style racing amongst a fleet of such well-maintained classic yachts.”

On corrected time, Sean McMillan’s Spirit 52 Flight of Ufford won Class 1, Laurent Giles designed Whooper won Class 2, Stiletto made it three wins from three races in Class 3, and Stella Timoa took first in Class 4.

Results here

STELLA TIMOA TRIUMPHS IN THE NAB TOWER RACE ON DAY TWO AT BRITISH CLASSIC WEEK

With temperatures set to soar in the UK on day two of British Classic Week, it was an early start for the fleet taking part in the 30nm Nab Tower Race sponsored by Spirit Yachts.

As the early morning cloud cleared over Cowes, the fleet started on the Royal Yacht Squadron (RYS) combined line just after 8am.  With 5-8 knots from the east, it was an upwind start against the tide.

Having crossed the line, the fleet tacked up the Solent with several yachts opting to go inshore to get out of the oncoming tide.  As the tide slackened, the yachts stretched their legs with long tacks up the Solent towards No Man’s Land and Horse Sand Forts.

Upon reaching the forts, the sailors were put to the test as the sun really started to heat up and the breeze sat around 6 knots. Once they passed between the forts, the yachts took a south-easterly heading down to the Nab Tower, which is famous for its use as anti-submarine protection during World War I.

Rounding the Nab Tower to starboard, spinnakers were hoisted for the downwind leg back in 8-10 knots of breeze to the finish at the RYS line.

Spirit Yachts CEO Sean McMillan commented, “Another fantastic day’s racing in the Solent, the breeze held up and the fleet created quite a spectacle as it made its way down the Solent in the sunshine.”

The race was won overall by one of the smallest yachts in the fleet, 26ft Stella Timoa. Spirit 65 Chloe Giselle retains her line honours top spot from last year’s Nab Tower Race. 

Results here

CHAMPAGNE SAILING ON DAY ONE AT BRITISH CLASSIC WEEK 2022

The 20th British Classic Week hosted by British Classic Yacht Club kicked off today with champagne sailing in the Solent. 

 With 10-12knots of wind from the S/E, the race committee at the Royal Yacht Squadron (RYS) set two separate courses, which saw Classes 1 and 2 set off on a 17nm course around the cans, with Classes 3 and 4 sailing a separate 12nm course.

 All class starts set off from the RYS inner line heading east with the flooding tide.  As the wind funnelled down the Solent from the east it whipped up the sea state resulting in very choppy conditions and a wet ride for the crews on the rail.

Once over the line, Classes 1 and 2 raced upwind with the tide to SE Ryde Middle.  Rounding the mark to port, poles were set, and spinnakers were hoisted for the downwind leg to Goodall Roofing.  Then it was back upwind to Mother Bank.  With the tide slackening off and the sea state calming, Classes 1 and 2 reached across the Solent to round Ancasta to port and downwind to South Bramble.

From South Bramble, the course took them back upwind in the consistent breeze to South Ryde Middle.  Rounding the mark to starboard, the yachts hoisted their spinnakers for a third and final time for the run with the tide down to the Royal Yacht Squadron and the finish.

Meanwhile, Classes 3 and 4 raced a similar but shorter course from the RYS line upwind to Peel Bank.  With Osborne House (Queen Victoria’s former holiday home) in the background, the yachts rounded Peel Bank to port.  Spinnakers were hoisted in beautiful sunshine as the yachts sailed downwind to gybe around Yacht Data Bank to port and continue to RORC.  Taking RORC to port, Classes 3 and 4 sailed back upwind to Collette, before the final downwind leg to RYS.

BCYC Commodore Jonathan Dyke commented, “We couldn’t have asked for a better day.  Great course setting, fantastic conditions; it was a brilliant start to the regatta.”

Spirit 52 Happy Forever won Class 1, racing sloop Crusade took Class 2, Stiletto won Class 3 and Robert Clarke 10 Tonner Cereste placed first in Class 4.

Back on the dock at Cowes Yacht Haven, the yachts were treated to cold Adnams Kobold beers as they relaxed and shared tales from the race course.

Race 1 results here

British Classic Week Announces Fundraising Campaign for Tall Ships Youth Trust

The UK’s premier classic yacht regatta, British Classic Week, has announced the launch of a fundraising campaign for its charity partner Tall Ships Youth Trust. 

 The UK’s oldest and largest sail training charity, Tall Ships Youth Trust, enables young people to fulfil their life potential through adventures at sea.  By bringing together crews of different social backgrounds and taking them on residential sailing voyages, Tall Ships Youth Trust supports young people aged 12-25 from across the UK.

 Organised by the British Classic Yacht Club (BCYC), the 20th edition of British Classic Week will take place in Cowes from 16th – 23rd July 2022.  The regatta comprises a six-race series and a varied social programme, welcoming classic yachts from across the UK, Europe and further afield. 

 Commodore of BCYC, Jonathan Dyke, commented, “Whether it’s due to circumstance, an accident, or mental health, Tall Ships Youth Trust instigates a step change for young people when they are most in need.  We are calling on British Classic Week attendees and classic yacht enthusiasts to donate to this invaluable charity and help support their life-changing sailing voyages.”

Participants can donate via British Classic Week’s dedicated JustGiving page before, during and after the regatta.  Donations can also be made throughout the regatta week using the charity’s contactless payment machines and by taking part in the prize-giving dinner fundraising activities.

James Hudson, Director of Fundraising and Marketing at Tall Ships Youth Trust, said: “We’re proud and delighted to once again be selected as the regatta’s official charity partner for 2022. This year looks to be particularly exciting as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of British Classic Week and welcome the return of classic yachts from overseas.

 “TSYT team members and our youth ambassadors, will be on-hand throughout the week to raise awareness of our vital youth development work and to raise funds to support even more young people from across the country who have been disadvantaged in some way.”

Founded in 1956, Tall Ships Youth Trust has supported over 120,000 young people, the majority of whom are disadvantaged or disabled.  Currently operating with four Challenger yachts and a 55ft ketch, the charity is fundraising to purchase more seagoing capacity.

When asked how Tall Ships Youth Trust changed his life after he suffered a haemorrhagic stroke as a teenager, charity ambassador Will said, “Things were grim, my whole life changed. Everyone was stressing and I was told there was so many things I wouldn’t be able to do, swim, cycle and even worse, sail. I was devastated!

 “I’m often judged on my diagnosis rather than my ability.  But Tall Ships Youth Trust heard me and after working with my medical team, they took a chance. This was life changing.”

Above: TSYT ambassador Will

Entry for the 20th British Classic Week is now open.  The racing will be organised by the Royal Yacht Squadron and will include a schedule of varied courses across a six-race series.

 Criteria for entry is IRC classic yachts of 24ft and over or modern classic, Spirit of Tradition yachts.  Classic cruising yachts and motor boats are also welcome to join the week. 

Entry Open for British Classic Week 2022

Founded in 2002 and hosted by the British Classic Yacht Club (BCYC), British Classic Week will celebrate its 20th anniversary from 16th to 23rd July in Cowes this year.  Entry is now open for the regatta, which is set to be a celebration of classic yachts on and off the water.

Criteria for entry is IRC classic yachts of 24ft and over or modern classic, Spirit of Tradition yachts of either wood or steel construction.  This year, the regatta will host a new class for gaff-rigged yachts to race under the latest OGA ratings.  Cruising yachts and classic motor boats are also invited to join British Classic Week to watch the racing, explore local waters and enjoy the social scene.

BCYC Commodore Jonathan Dyke commented, “Pre-entry interest in attending the 20th edition of British Classic Week has been high, and we are anticipating a wide range of classic and modern classic yachts from across the UK and Europe this year.  We are looking forward to welcoming everyone to Cowes to celebrate 20 years of classic yacht racing and camaraderie.”

Sailors will take on a six-race series of varied courses, including round-the-cans races and the 30nm Nab Tower Race that takes in the iconic Horse Sand and No Mans Land Forts.  Race management organised by the Royal Yacht Squadron will see beautifully maintained classic yachts battle it out against the historic, picturesque backdrop of the Isle of Wight.

Keen spectators will be able to get close to the action on the water and watch line starts and finishes in front of the famous Royal Yacht Squadron.

With drinks brands Adnams, Hattiers Rum and Dartmouth Gin providing celebratory drinks delivered direct to yachts after they have crossed the finish line, the social scene promises to be lively on and off the water.

The social programme includes the traditional welcome reception on the lawn at The Royal Yacht Squadron on Sunday 17th July.  On Tuesday 19th July, regatta attendees will have the opportunity to peruse the fleet of timeless classics during the Open Yachts Pontoon Party (sponsored by Classic Boat with drinks by Hattiers Rum and Dartmouth Gin).  The regatta will finish with a prize giving dinner on Friday evening.

This year’s British Classic Week will see continued sponsorship from OneSails GBR and Spirit Yachts, with event support from Suffolk Yacht Harbour and traditional chandlery Classic Marine.  The UK’s leading publication on classic and traditional boats, Classic Boat magazine, remains the regatta’s media partner.

The regatta’s charity partnership with the UK’s oldest and largest youth development sail training charity Tall Ships Youth Trust continues into its second year for 2022.  The collaboration raises awareness and funds for the charity’s work helping disadvantaged young people to fulfil their life potential through adventures at sea. 

Jonathan Dyke commented, “British Classic Week began in 2002, when a group of like-minded owners started a regatta to celebrate classic yachts and the people who maintain them.  Whilst the regatta has evolved, the ethos is the same: quality racing, camaraderie, and a shared appreciation of beautiful classic yachts.”

The motto of regatta organiser the BCYC is Per Ardua ad Marum (Through hard work to the Seas), paying homage to the commitment required to own and maintain a classic yacht. Most of the classic yachts that attend the regatta are privately owned, meaning that for many their upkeep is purely down to the devotion of their owners and crew.  

British Classic Week Set to Celebrate 20th Anniversary

Forget resolutions, diets, and January blues, it’s time to start planning this year’s sailing season!

British Classic Week will return to Cowes this summer from 16th to 23rd July to celebrate the regatta’s 20th anniversary.

Planning is already underway for the 2022 edition of the regatta and after so much positive feedback from last year, the format remains the same: quality racing and lively socialising.  The request has gone in for wall-to-wall sunshine and a constant breeze; watch this space…

On the water, the competitive six-race series will be set by the Royal Yacht Squadron for IRC classic yachts of 24ft and over, or modern classic, Spirit of Tradition yachts of either wood or steel construction.  This year, the regatta will host a new class for gaff-rigged yachts to race under OGA ratings.

Classic motor boats are once again invited to join the regatta to watch the action on the water and join the camaraderie ashore.  A varied programme of activities will be on offer for cruising yachts interested in a week of social sailing to explore nearby picturesque coastlines and Solent hot spots.

The shoreside scene is set to be as vibrant as ever and the regatta marquee at Cowes Yacht Haven will no doubt be buzzing with the sound of old friends catching up and new faces being introduced.  The regatta will see the return of everyone’s favourite socials including drinks at the Royal Yacht Squadron and the Open Yachts Pontoon Party sponsored by Classic Boat magazine, with drinks from Hattiers Rum and Dartmouth Gin.  Suffolk-based brewery Adnams will be keeping crew and guests refreshed during the week.

Thanks to the regatta’s valued sponsors Spirit Yachts, OneSails GBR, and Classic Boat magazine for their continued sponsorship of the racing, alongside event support from Suffolk Yacht Harbour and traditional chandlery Classic Marine. 

This year, British Classic Week will continue its charity partnership with Tall Ships Youth Trust.  By bringing together crews of different social backgrounds and taking them on residential sailing voyages, Tall Ships Youth Trust provides invaluable support to young people aged 12-25 across the UK. 

Entry for the regatta will open in February, please contact Mary Scott Jackson (details below) with any queries in the meantime.

Event query?  Contact Mary Scott Jackson: mary@msjevents.co.uk  / 01983 245100 / 07790 770 526