National Swallow 75th Anniversary Championship at Cowes Classics Week 2023

National Swallow 75th Anniversary Championship at Cowes Classics Week 2023 © Tim Jeffreys Photography

Another glorious few days of racing! 26 boats joined the fun and this time Gwaihir did not have it all her own way.

The breeze was generally up, there were a couple of halyard failures, but our Swallows held together well for some wet and bouncy beats and thrilling spinnaker legs. The Swallow Class was awarded the Queen Victoria Cup (1886) to mark our 75th anniversary also the Ratsey & Lapthorn trophy for the Spirit of Cowes Classics Week the pragmatic solution to Tuesday's disputed race results.

Gwaihir (Mike Wigmore. Charles Hyatt & Keith Bliss) repeated their win of last year but were pushed very hard to the final and eighth race by Osprey (Jeremy Sibthorp) and Swift (Andy Fitzgerald).

We began with a pleasant Vernon Trophy passage race over to Cowes, won by Buccaneer with Ghost also finding the right lane to finish second. The tides did not seem to hold us back, the wind direction was kind, and we were in Cowes in good time.

Monday saw a SW wind in the mid-teens. Gwaihir swept away to win both with the usual suspects of Osprey, Swift. Skua and Spectre all pressing.

National Swallow 75th Anniversary Championship at Cowes Classics Week 2023 - photo © Tim Jeffreys Photography

The following day was interesting. The fleet finally got away at the third attempt under a U Flag, and after a couple of laps passed a RIB flying an S flag at a windward mark. Some then broke out the sandwiches and ran gently back only to find the CV apparently finishing the fleet at the bottom - but with no finishing records having been taken at the top. In effect protested itself and a sensible arrangement was eventually reached by compiling our own records of finishing order at the top mark, with Osprey first But Gwaihir had not excelled in the race which put pressure on for the rest of the series. Congratulations to Goosander for taking the round the cans race in the windy afternoon.

National Swallow 75th Anniversary Championship at Cowes Classics Week 2023 - photo © Tim Jeffreys Photography

Windy Wednesday gave Gwaihir two more wins. Race 1 was short, the lunch break minimal, and the second race spinnaker reaches spectacular. Some boats did not come out to play as it remained manageable at 20-25 knots.

The leading bunch had all to play for on the final day. Gwaihir and Swift were both counting poor results and hoping to discard but could not afford any more poor races. Gwaihir won the first race with ease and sailed conservatively in the final race to win with 15 points, two ahead of Osprey, herself two ahead of Swift. It had been an exciting and close-fought series at all levels through the big fleet.

National Swallow 75th Anniversary Championship at Cowes Classics Week 2023 - photo © Tim Jeffreys Photography

With the exception of the difficulty in Race 3 we were pleased with the race management. The start lines were tight and fair set courses were true and a good length and the second races took us round Solent cans, giving us opportunities for dramatic reaches, tidal tactics, and a quick return to Cowes.

The social scene was also excellent. Special mention must go the Swallow 75th celebration drinks at the Commodore's House (thanks to Lucy and her team), and the daily tea and cakes at the RLYC were welcome after a hard day on the water.

National Swallow 75th Anniversary Championship at Cowes Classics Week 2023 - photo © Kirsty Bang

Let's see if we can all get there again next year (8-12 July 2024).

Overall Results:
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