Brilliant sunshine and a fresh southerly breeze made for perfect racing conditions for the RLYC’s day in Cowes Week on Monday. With no less than 33 trophies on offer, donated by members, competition was naturally fierce among the 8,000+ competitors on the water during the day.

From the shoreline one of the most unforgettable sights was watching the Laser SB3 split around each end of the Trinity House ship, Galatea, but on the Black Group Committee Vessel, stationed in the western Solent, the highlight of the day was seeing the 30-strong J/109 fleet crossing the start line in almost military formation a split second after the gun.

There may have been some red faces at the end of the day when it was revealed that Neville Upton, CEO of The Listening Centre, in a chartered Sunsail 37 with a mixed crew made up of experienced sailors, clients and complete novies, looked well placed to be the overall winner of the Black Group.

As Dee Caffari said on the BBC television news that evening: "It was a great day’s sailing."

Russell Miller