2009 Coutts Quarter Ton Cup in preparation

The Coutts Quarter Ton Cup 2009, to be hosted by the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, Cowes, from 16-18 July, is fast approaching and the Quarter Ton fleet is hard at work preparing for another exciting showdown in their historic little boats.

Fresh from victory at the recent Vice Admiral's Cup, Tim Rees and Derek and James Moreland, previously part of the 2005 Quarter Ton Cup winning Purple Haze crew, will be hoping for further success in Menace (ex Junior). A 1981 J Fauroux design Menace underwent a full restoration, including fitting a new rig, after she was purchased from France in last 2008. With her new red livery and Dennis the Menace spinnaker the boat is looking truly glamorous and is clearly very fast in the hands of this experienced team.

Another freshly restored boat to look out for will be Rob Gray's 1990 Rolf Vrolijk designed Aguila, originally built for the Crown Prince of Spain and rediscovered last winter in a state of dilapidation with the Spanish Navy. Having had the boat fully restored in double quick time Rob was delighted to take second place on her inaugural outing at the Vice Admiral's Cup and is keen for further success.

Others who have been hard at work in the refit shed this winter include Peter Mountain & Andrew Greensmith who originally owned the 1978 David Thomas designed Hazard some 18 years ago and purchased her back in late 2008. With a refit now complete Peter and Andrew are looking forward to racing in their first Coutts Quarter Ton Cup.

Barry Aarts from the Netherlands has put a lot of work into his 1979 A Monhaupt design The Itch ready for this season. The Itch is one of the most distinctive boats in the fleet with a bright yellow hull and spinnaker, bright yellow crew kit and even a bright yellow road trailer!

Also putting their winter handy work to the test will be Mike Pascall and Willie McNeil's Illegal Immigrant, the former Pandamonium which came in from Greece last year.

The ongoing husband and wife battle between Quarter Ton Class Chairman Peter Morton and his Class Secretary wife Louise looks set to keep us entertained for another year now that they are sailing the 1978 Bruce Farr designed sister ships Anchor Challenge and Espada respectively.

Peter has spent the winter fully refitting Anchor Challenge including a new rig, sails and keel. On her first outing the boat came a very creditable fourth overall at last month's Vice Admiral's Cup and Peter will no doubt be hoping to reprise his 2007 Coutts Quarter Ton Cup win.

Having seen the work going into Anchor Challenge and determined that her all girl team will remain on the pace this season, Louise Morton put Espada in for a little TLC this winter too and the boat is looking as good as ever. We can expect plenty of fun and games between these two teams as Louise fights to both beat her husband and become the first woman to claim the Coutts Quarter Ton Cup.

Racing alongside the newcomers and recently refitted boats will be plenty of familiar faces including the evergreen Paul Treliving and his equally evergreen Odd Job, Graydon Dawson sailing Diamond, Roger Swinney's lovely Ayanami, Matt Clark & Tony Thackray's Lancelot and Jan Thirkettle's Olivia Anne VI. After sitting out the Vice Admiral's Cup because of their bow girl Vicky's wedding, Paul Kelsey and the Runaway Bus team will also be back with a vengeance.

Racing will take place in the central Solent from Thursday 16 to Saturday 18 July with registration on Wednesday 15 July. The event is open to all boats built to the Quarter Ton Rule, which encompasses three very different versions of the rule, and therefore racing will be run under IRC to ensure a level playing field. The closing date for entries is 26 June 2009, late entries will be accepted up until 1800 hours on Wednesday 15 July but will be subject to a £50 late entry surcharge. The Notice of Race is available from www.rcyc.co.uk

The social programme will include the Coutts Welcome Reception on Wednesday 15 July, a buffet supper on Thursday 16 July, the Coutts Quarter Ton Cup Gala Dinner on Friday 17 July and a final prize giving reception after racing on Saturday 18 July. All social events will be hosted by the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club at its beautiful waterside clubhouse in Cowes.

For further information about the Coutts Quarter Ton Cup 2009 please contact Anthony Collis, Club Secretary, Royal Corinthian Yacht Club - www.rcyc.co.uk