Cowes Classics Week at the Royal London Yacht Club - Day 2
by David Gower 12 Jul 2023 19:49 BST
8-14 July 2023
Cowes Classics Week 2023 © Tim Jeffreys Photography
The forecast for a few days had suggested that Tuesday would be wet and windy but this had moderated somewhat by Monday and in fact the day turned out dry although mostly overcast with a building South Westerly giving a little more than 20 knots by early afternoon.
Sadly this proved a little too much for the Hillyard 2.5 ton gaffer "Catherine" who lost her mast following a shroud parting. Thankfully no one was injured and she recovered herself under her own power to port.
Our race circuit sponsors GJW Direct visited today and were taken afloat to view the racing by Sir Richard Ottaway in his semi displacement launch Sea Otter. Returning to the clubhouse for a light lunch they were able to watch the race finishes from the comfort of the RLYC Balcony.
John Tremlett sailing XOD Astralita X91 has built a 2 point lead over next placed Ben McGrane in X166 "Swallow" with Roger Yeoman in X50 14 points behind after 4 races.
In the Folkboat class Claire Locke in The Otter and Alasdair Maclean each have a bullet after the second race with The Otter one point behind as a result of a 3rd placing on Monday against Eala's 2nd today.
Andrew Millbar and Michael Cover in the Dragons appear to be effectively match racing with 6 points each after 4 races. Clearly well matched they are having an exciting series notwithstanding a fleet of two!
Chris Gorringe is consistent in the Flying Fifteen class with three bullets and one second with Rob Goddard equally so with one bullet and three seconds trailing by just two points at race 4.
Five of the six Loch Longs have each finished in the first three with only 1 point each between four of them with just under half the scheduled races sailed.
The racing is tight in Classic Yacht Division 2 with Richard Hollis's H Boat leading Peter Binnings Contessa 32 by just two points and only one point each between 2nd, 3rd and 4th placed boats overall.
The daily prize-giving will be at RORC at 18.15 allowing those joining the Jenny Lee launch to the Royal Victoria YC "Pie Night" to make the 18.30 departure from Trinity Landing. The Cowes lifeboat will accompany the Jenny Lee demonstrating rescue techniques on the way to be joined by the Bembridge Lifeboat at Wootton.
Those who have decided upon the Mexican Buffett will stay at RORC.
The current forecast for Wednesday is mostly dry but with a building south westerly during the day. The race officers will take the conditions into consideration at the morning briefing.