With entries building for the 2018 Panerai British Classic week, some glamorous names are on the list.
Kismet, a beautiful 48’ Fife Gaff cutter, from 1898, was spotted, while laid up as a houseboat on an Essex mud berth for over 50 years. She was rescued by Richard Matthews, who commissioned a team of shipwrights who spent four years returning Kismet to her former glory. In her first appearance at the Suffolk Classics she won the Tolhurst Trophy for beauty and authenticity.
Dorothy an elegant 1894 Gaff rigged Thames Rater by Linton Hope, recently acquired by Ossie Stewart, measures 33’ length by 7’ 7” width, 3’ 11” depth, and displaces 2.8 tonnes. She is the proverbial skimming dish. In her last appearance at a BCYC Regatta in 2008 she was quick. She looks very pretty, and If the weather is light she could be distressingly fast.
There is a strong turnout in Class 1 with the Spirit fleet headed by newly launched 63’ Yawl, Gwenhyfar. There will be renewed rivalry between Lord Irvine’s racy Oui Fling and Sean McMillan’s “Fast Family Cruiser” Flight of Ufford.
Perennial winner and Solent regular Whooper helmed by Giovanni Belgrano will be on hand as will a strong fleet of regular supporters. Opposition will be back racing in Class 2 and there will be good competition in Classes 3 and 4.
The 6 and 8 Metre classes will be well represented as usual.
Now let’s hope for good weather.
