The final day of British Classic Week blew into on a strong breeze ready for the replacement NAB Tower race (postponed from earlier in the week), sponsored by Spirit Yachts. Instead of the planned NAB Tower race, the committee set a long inshore course to end the regatta.
Above: fleet start on the RYS outer line
After a general recall on the first start, the fleet set off from the outer Royal Yacht Squadron (RYS) line to the east in 15knots and on the last of the ebbing tide. Beating up to the first mark, North East Ryde Middle, it was a port rounding and a bear away, with some yachts hoisting code zeroes for the short second leg to Royal Yacht Squadron.
Above: Spirit 52 Happy Forever
Gybing around Royal Yacht Squadron, yachts hoisted spinnakers in the sunshine to glide downwind with the tide to South Bramble.
Heading up and tacking around South Bramble to port, the fleet set off on a long upwind leg punching against the tide in 14-15knots. Most yachts chose to tack close inshore up the mainland coast to get out of the strong oncoming tide, before sailing into the channel to round Browndown to starboard.
Above: Robert Clarke 10 Tonner Cereste
A big bear away around the mark and spinnakers were hoisted for the final downwind leg with the tide back to the RYS outer line.
Spirit 65 Chloe Giselle won Class 1, Class 2 was won by Giles Sloop Cetewayo, Whooper won Class 3 and Kim Holman designed Stiletto won Class 4. Chloe Giselle also won line honours and took first place overall. Second overall was Spirit 52 Oui Fling, followed by Spirit 52 Happy Forever in third.
Above: Spirit 65 Chloe Giselle won line honours and the race overall
Regatta class winners and the overall winner will be announced at the prize giving on Friday evening.
