RORC Morgan Cup - Full Report & Results

2XL TAKES THE MORGAN CUP

Photo ©: Mark Jardine
from onboard Shakermaker, 3rd overall in IRM

The RORC fleet of 40 yachts started together from the Royal Yacht Squadron line at 1100 hours on Saturday 17th June. All made a clean start to the west under a Southeasterly breeze with no boats OCS. The course took the fleet to DZ(B) off St Albans and then back to North Head before turning west again to Poole Bar Bouy 1, the fleet then headed east leaving the Isle of Wight to port and on to the Nab Tower to finish at Warner.

For the yachts vying for a place in the Rolex Commodores’ Cup English Teams, the Morgan Cup was the fourth race of their series and gave the Selectors the opportunity to evaluate the offshore potential of the trialists. The final round of selection trials will be held as part of the IR2000 Championships to be held over the weekend of 24th to 26th of June.

‘Tonnerre’, Pete Vroon reported as being 2 miles south of St Catherines Point at 2215, again at 0250 when at Nab Tower and finally crossed the finishing line at 0453 in little to no wind. The second yacht to come home was ‘2XL’, Stuart Greenfield & David Murrin who finished at 0601 having had the breeze build to a steady 10kts from the east. Not until 0840 did the next group of compeditors reach the finish, these being lead by ‘Yeoman of Hamble’, David Aisher. By 1356 all the fleet had been accounted for.

In the RORC Rolex English Team Trials ‘2XL’ continued her winning ways ahead of ‘Shakermaker 2’ in 2nd and ‘Quokka V’, Peter Rutter a series consistant 3rd.

The Trophies will be presented at the Royal Thames Yacht Club in November, with RORC Medallions presented at the RORC Clubhouse on Tuesday 20th June. The winners being:

MORGAN CUP – BCT IRC & KNIGHTSBRIDGE CUP - IRC O

2XL     Stuart  Greenfield & David.Murrin

QUEENBOROUGH CUP - IRC 1

Courrier Nord    Gery Trentesaux

CHARLES BALL CHALLENGE CUP - IRC 2

Lance L’eau      Gerard Louyot

WARSASH CUP - IRC 3

Mavis III of Gosport     Stephen Winter

COLIN CAMPBELL CHALLENGE CUP – BCT IRM

2XL     Stuart Greenfield & David Murrin

RORC SALVER – FIRST BOAT HOME

Tonnerre    Pete Vroon

Report from Mark Jardine onboard Shakermaker

The RORC Morgan Cup took place on the 17th & 18th June starting at 11am. Conditions for this 24 hour short offshore race were near perfect as a moderate South-Easterly greeted the fleet as they went off from the Royal Yacht Squadron line, through the gap at Hurst Spit, past the needles and off to DZ off St. Albans Head.

Next followed a tricky beat along the shore towards Hurst where big place changes were made and inshore and offshore paid at different times.

Early evening saw a run down towards Poole Bay, which coincided well with the England - Germany match. Concentration on the sailing at this point was understandibly down ! Even through later in the evening the wind died in Poole Bay and the rounding took a long time for many the mood was good after hearing the result of the game.

Morning broke with the fleet making their way around the back of the Isle of Wight towards St. Catherine's point. This beat was then followed by a fetch to Nab Tower and a last run to the finish by the Portsmouth forts.

If you are going to go offshore, these are the conditions to do it in. Glorious sunshine, mainly fair breezes and a course that provides interest as it is close to the shore.

More Information:

• RORC Website