Rolex Swan European Regatta - Day 3

RACE 3 REPORT - DAY THREE, WEDNESDAY, 7 JULY

Again the big boats struggled to make an impression in the first race of the Champagne Mumm Race Day at the Rolex Swan European Regatta at Cowes as Stephen James' Swan 48 Jacobite and his regular crew scored their first victory of the week. This will go some way to holding her overall place at the top of Division F.

The 21-boat fleet in Division F had a general recall on the first start but got away second time round in a light westerly 6 knots of breeze from the RYS Committee boat line in the middle of the eastern Solent. The 12 mile course started upwind with Sir Geoffrey's Mulcahy's Swan 56 Noonmark VI reaching the windward mark first having got the better of Swan 60 Sotto Voce on the opening leg.

The breeze had freshened to a good force 3 putting the crews under pressure to hoist the spinnakers cleanly. Don Wood's Swan 55 Gandalf Wight Sorcerer clearly showed her sister-ship Swan 55 Valhalla the way ahead, hoisting both her kite and staysail before Valhalla's spinnaker had set. At this stage, Jacobite was at least 12 minutes behind the leaders rounding in 13th place but managed to claw back a few places to round the final mark in 8th place for the final downwind leg. Decreasing winds and a strong foul tide forced the boats to stay as close to the mainland shore as possible obviously aiding the smaller boats progress to the finish line. However, continuing her trend, Arien van Vemde's Swan 60 Sotto Voce secured line honours.

In 36-boat Division G, first place went to Swan 43 Cisne helmed by John Hofland with Swan 441 Menenes helmed by Libby Deegan 3 mins 22 seconds behind on Corrected Time. A clear battle is developing between these two classic Swans as only one point now separates them at the top of Division G after three races. Swan 44 Rosy Pelican, owned by Mark Garthwaite and Nicholas Millard, will be delighted to have made the top three in the first race of the day following an 8th and 31st place in the opening races. She shares joint third with Swan 44 Flamboyant and Swan 39 Flying Neleb from Spain, scoring their best result to date.

Using the NSR 2000 handicap system and the introduction of three different crew classifications has certainly developed a level playing field. However, the big boats are struggling to get far enough ahead to gain the upper hand in these very light conditions and foul tides which have influenced the racing so far.

Provisional top 3 places in Race 3:

Division F:
1st Jacobite (Swan 48 / Stephen James)
2nd Crackerjack (swan46 / Keith Miller)
3rd Northern Child (Swan 51 / David & Peter Collins)

Division G:
1st Cisne (Swan 43 / Keert Jansen)
2nd Menenes (Swan 441 / Libby & Graham Deegan)
3rd= Rosy Pelican (Swan 44 / Mark Garthwaite & Nicholas Millard)
3rd= Flamboyant (Swan 44 / Chris Jago)
3rd= Flying Neleb (Swan 39 / Frederico Garcia-German

Two short-12 mile races were held on the Solent on the third day of the Rolex Swan European Regatta. Race 3 saw the two Divisions in the 57 boat fleet start from a RYS Committee boat line in a light south westerly 6 knot breeze increasing to 12 knots at the first windward mark. James Stephen's Swan 48 Jacobite scored their first victory of the week in Division F whilst Swan 43 Cisne, helmed by John Hofland, took first p þlace in Division G followed by Swan 441 Menenes helmed by Libby Deegan in second.

In Race 4 the SW breeze averaged between 10-15 knots occasionally gusting 18. In Division F Sir Geoffrey Mulcahy's Swan 56 Noonmark VI took line honours, however, tactician Stuart Childerley credits Swan 65 Desperado with victory.

Short racing is all about good starts and clear air to get away. The big boats are only really going to do well with long beats in strong tides where they can stretch ahead, plus there are lots of spaces where we can't go. Desperado managed to go over the Knoll Bank putting Noonmark in much worse tide.

Desperado owner, Ricard Loftus responded: 'We passed the first mark bang on, dodging the tide and picking up the wind leaving the others behind. Credit goes to 67 year-old Owen Parker who is a master tactician.'

In Division G Swan 44 Flamboyant after a disastrous 26th place in race 1 stole first place in race 4 with Swan 441 Menenes in second. 'We had a great start and got in-shore first keeping out of the tide and managing to stay in front the whole way,' said Jago. 'Mind you, it is absolutely frightening how fast the Deegan's can make their boat go.'

Two second places in races 3 and 4 were enough to put Swan 441 Menenes into Overall lead (11 points), Swan 36 Cisne in second overall (13 points) and Swan 48 Jacobite in third (14 points).

More information: www.rys.org.uk/swan