Cowes Classics Week at the Royal London Yacht Club - Day 1
by David Gower 11 Jul 2023 19:46 BST
8-14 July 2023
Cowes Classics Week 2023 © Tim Jeffreys Photography
Following a terrific Cowes Classics Day on Sunday 9th July, Cowes Classics Week racing got off to a brilliant start under a cloudy bright sky with a relatively steady South to southwest wind across the Solent.
Two times Olympic Gold Medallist Shirley Robertson was sailing aboard SWE31 6 metre Silvervingen scoring two bullets to establish an early lead in the series.
A couple of Loch Longs and a Mermaid tried to join the Daring fleet but soon realised they were at the wrong circuit but manged to join their own fleet just in time for the start.
The Swallow class is celebrating its 75th anniversary with 26 boats on the line racing for the coveted Queen Victoria Cup presented to the Royal London Yacht Club by HM Queen Victoria in 1886. Class Captain Mike Wigmore set the pace with two bullets establishing a 5 point lead over the next 4 boats.
The Daring class completed the first two races with only 2 points separating the first three boats with David Tydeman and his daughter sailing Dynamite into first place with a first and second place.
The largest yacht in the regatta, Swan 65 EVE, came in second behind the beautiful 10 metre Bojar a veteran of Cowes Classics Week sailed by Mark Dowie.
Tom Rusbridge enjoying his first year as PRO commented that the aim was to deliver safe, fair and enjoyable sailing across the 4 race circuits and invites comments from the competitors during the week.
Sailors and race officers enjoyed tea and cakes kindly sponsored by Evelyn Partners at the Clubhouse after racing and went on to Cowes Classics Museum for a drinks reception and daily prize-giving before either the hog roast at CCYC or a Taste of the Sea on the Victorian balcony at the RLYC. Both groups joined Elvis Viva Classics Week until after midnight with many helping with the singing!