Friday at British Classic Week kicked off with the postponed Concours d’Elegance parade past the Royal Yacht Squadron (RYS). With the formalities over, it was back to business as owners and crew prepared for the final race of the week.
Class starts set off in sequence in 5-8 knots from the SW. Spinnakers were hoisted on the line as the yachts sought out the best channels of breeze and strongest easterly running tide.
Classes 1 and 2 raced the same course, sailing downwind from the start and gybing across the Solent to East Bramble. Rounding East Bramble to port, kites were dropped and set off on a short tight reach to W Ryde Middle.
Rounding the mark to port, spinnakers were hoisted once again for the second downwind leg of the race to Mother Bank. The breeze continued to build throughout the race and by this time the tide was turning to the west.
Dropping spinnakers and rounding Mother Bank to port, some yachts held code zeros on the tight reach up to Royal Yacht Squadron. Rounding the mark to port, the yachts set off on a 3.5nm beat upwind in gusts of 20 knots with the tide to the finish on the RYS line.
Racing a shorter course, Class 3 raced downwind to East Bramble and on to W Ryde Middle. Rounding W Ryde Middle to port, Class 3 sailed a slightly shorter downwind leg to Little Ship Club and a tight reach to Ancasta, before beating back with the tide to the RYS line.
Race wins as follows: Spirit 52 Happy Forever in Class 1, Mikado in Class 2, and Stella Timoa in Class 3.
Racing their eighth and final race of the week, the 6mRs sailed one round the cans race in the North of the Solent. In the Open Division Aera secured her first win of the week and made it five consecutive race wins in the Classic Division.
