Friday 24th July

In very testing conditions , with winds gusting upwards of 25 knots, the final races in Cowes Classic Week were run from three committee boat start lines on the Solent today. Despite the weather – an earlier forecast which fortunately did not materialise predicted Force 5-7 – all the races were completed without incident and with the leading yachts in the majority of classes within a few points of each. It was, all agreed, a very exciting morning.

Cowes Classic Week, now in its second year, looks set to become a major event in the yachting calendar likely to attract even more traditional keelboat classes from around Europe next year, adding lustre to Cowes yachting heritage. “We are delighted with the way everything has gone,” said Peter Taylor, chairman of the regatta, “particularly in view of the conditions. We lost a complete day but still managed to get in seven races. We are quite certain the event will grow.”

The format of the week, with three start lines providing clear water for all classes and shorter legs making for closer racing, is popular with racing yachtsmen. Roy Burrows, a Bembridge One Design sailor, was full of praise. “This has been an absolutely terrific event,” he said, “ and we shall certainly be back next year. “

Andrew Ash-vie, in Wildcat 11, won the 6 Metre Modern Class with the youngest crew in the class, despite having to retire in today’s race with his mainsail down; Peter Andrea in Erica, the only Charles Nicholson designed 6 Metre left in the UK, won the 6 Metre Classic class. Richard Ottoway in Decoy, won the Daring class with an all-girl crew. Tim Hill in Query just snatched the Sunbeam class from Julian Money in Penny, although neither knew who would win until the results were announced. Adrian Jardine and Nicola Wise in Lucrezia took the honours I the X One Design class, the largest fleet in the regatta with 28 entrants. Mark Taylor in Marbella, a boat he has owned for 14 years, won the Scod class and Thomas Scott in Siskin won the Redwing class.

Next year it is hoped that the spectacular 8 Metre and 12 Metre classic racing yachts will make an appearance in Cowes for the first time since the unforgettable America’s Cup Jubilee, certainly something to look forward to.

Thursday 23rd July

After being forced to cancel all races yesterday, with winds along the Solent gusting at up to 30 knots, the third day of Cowes Classics Week got off to a better start today (Thursday) with three races run in testing conditions under cloudy skies and rain squalls but with the sky clearing in time for the final pursuit race.

This, the second Cowes Classics Week, is defeating the economic downturn, with nearly 80 yachts entered this year as compared to 58 last year and with three new classes addeed. The event shows every sign of becoming one of the most important on the yachting calendar, preceding, as it does, Cowes Week.

The first day (Tuesday) had all classes competing in two round-the-cans courses. Richard Pearson, class captain of the Sunbeams, in Fay, broke his mast in the first race but was able to get it replaced during the lay-off on the following day and won a third today. In the same class, John Davis in Fleury notched up two firsts today.

After an enforced rest on Wednesday, with winds howling in the rigging of all the yachts holed up in Cowes Yacht Haven, all competitors were geared up for a crowded day’s racing today with three planned windward-leeward courses, finishing with a pursuit race for all competitors. By then the wind was gusting upwards of 20 knots, obliging all but three of the Six Metres to retire.

Neil Payne, in Lizzwhizz, an XOD broke a jib halyard on the third race and finished on mainsail alone. David Gower, in his Daring Dolphin, who won the regatta last year, just pipped Andrew Porteous’ Squib, Firecracker Too, to the finishing line in the pursuit race. Competitors were full of praise for the race organisers in organising the handicap as all the classes were represented in the first finishers - a considerable achievement.

With very few points separating the leaders in most classes, they have everything to sail for tomorrow.

Russell Miller