Lighter airs and lovely Ladies on day four of Panerai British Classic Week 2017

The sun returned on day four of Panerai British Classic Week where the fleets completed race five of the series, followed by the traditional Ladies Race.

Rain Fails to dampen the spirits on day 3 Panerai British Classic Week 2017

Heavy rain and strong winds were the order of day three at Panerai British Classic Week in Cowes, but nothing can keep a good classic yacht crew down and spirits were high despite the lousy weather.

Seat of the Pants Sailing in the NAB Tower Race Sponsored by EFG

Day two of Panerai British Classic Week 2017 was to have featured the Around the Isle of Wight Race sponsored by EFG, but the weather forecast promised a combination of strong south westerly winds and a big ebb tide.

A Scorching Start to Panerai British Classic Week 2017

The opening race day of Panerai British Classic Week 2017 was an absolute scorcher with barely a cloud in the sky and glorious sunshine showing the fifty-one participating classic yachts off to absolute perfection.

Whooper Declared Overall Winner of Panerai British Classic Week 2016

Panerai British Classic Week came to a spectacular conclusion with one final round the cans race for all classes in glorious sunshine and a perfect Solent sea breeze. Royal Yacht Squadron Racing set courses that took the fleet west down Cowes Green and then brought them back together off Beaulieu for a thrilling massed reach into the finish.

Whooper Wins Classic Boat Long Inshore Race on Day 5 of Panerai British Classic Week 2016

The fifth day of Panerai British Classic Week produced some interesting weather, some challenging racing and confirmed of the overall winner in several classes. The 6 and 8 Metre Classes raced two further round the cans races, whilst Classes 1 to 4 took part in the Classic Boat Long Inshore Race.

Incomparable Sailing for Incomparable Yachts on Day 4 of Panerai British Classic Week 2016

Tim Blackman of the 1947 Philip Rhodes Bermudan Yawl Infanta summed up day four of Panerai British Classic Week in Cowes perfectly saying, “An incomparable day’s sailing in the Solent for incomparable yachts.” Two around the cans races were completed, the first with individual class starts and the second with Classes 1 to 4 starting together.

Glorious Conditions for EFG Around the Island Race at Panerai British Classic Week 2016

The EFG Around the Island Race on day three of Panerai British Classic Week was sailed in glorious hot sunshine and great breeze. The fleet started to the east on a favourable flood tide, which many underestimated resulting in a General Recall. They got away on the second attempt with eight boats individually recalled, only three of which returned.

Frustrating Conditions on Day Two of Panerai British Classic Week 2016

The second day of racing at Panerai British Classic Week brought glorious sunshine, but a frustrating lack of solid breeze. The Race Committee’s decision not to run the Around the Island Race today was vindicated, but despite their best efforts it was only possible to complete a significantly truncated race for the 6 Metre and 8 Metre Classes.

Spectacular Parade and a Great First Race Open Panerai British Classic Week 2016

The opening day of Panerai British Classic Week 2016 featured a spectacular Parade of Yachts in which Jonathan Perry, Rear Commodore Yachting of the Royal Yacht Squadron, took the salute as the yachts streamed past the Royal Yacht Squadron.

Antipodean Teams Set to join the fun at Panerai British Classic Week 2016

With less than a week to go until the start of Panerai British Classic Week, boats and teams from across the globe are preparing to converge on Cowes for the UK’s biggest and most prestigious annual classic regatta. Based at Cowes Yacht Haven and running from 16 to 22 July 2016, the event will feature some 60 stunning classic yachts. Teams will travel from across the UK and Europe and from as far afield as New Zealand and Australia to compete.

Good Entry for Regatta

With entries still coming in it looks like there will about 60 yachts for the 2016 Panerai British Classic Week regatta. There will be close competition within the Eight Metres with six entries, as well as a welcome return of the Solent Six Metre class. New for this year the fleet will have trackers fitted to each yacht to enable live updates on the racing as well as a record of the history of each boat’s progress around the race course.

The Classic Yacht associations of Australia and New Zealand have entered with three identical Morgan Giles cruiser races on charter especially for the Regatta and have stated that they are not just here to cruise. There will be an active programme for those who do not wish to race, which will include the iconic Mariquita who will be appearing for the week as a relaxed cruising entry.

Many familiar names will be in Cowes with over 40 BCYC members entered as well as a number of first time visitors from Holland and France.

Regatta News

The Notice of Race has been posted and applications are now open. Entries are coming in from as far afield as New Zealand and Australia, as well as Yorkshire! After lengthy deliberation the BCYC Committee has decided that the Around the Island race will be part of the Regatta and count for the overall prize. In the spirit of the founding ethos of the Club, it was felt that this would ensure that only yachts which are capable of passage making will be eligible to win the Regatta. The direction of the race will be determined by the weather forecast and the start will be timed to assist the successful transit of any tidal gate. As usual there will be an alternative course in the Solent for yachts which choose not to go around the Island but this will not count towards the overall points.

The racing format for the week will be the same as last year but the intention is for the starts to be less “exciting”. There will be an active cruising programme for those who wish to enjoy the week but do not intend to race. This will include Mariquita who has expressed their intention to spend a relaxed week cruising.

New this year, there will be trackers on every racing yacht to provide real time information on the progress of each race. This will also permit replays of races in the lounge as well as later to enliven cold winter evenings and to provide endless hours of entertainment for armchair tacticians.

We look forward to welcoming you to Cowes for a week of good fun afloat and good companionship ashore.

Rufus Gilday

BCYC Secretary

David Sherriff's 'Jap' is Top Yacht at Panerai British Classic Week 2015

After five days of exciting and challenging racing at Panerai British Classic Week 2015 the weather sadly let the fleet down on the final day, when strong winds and torrential rain forced the abandonment of the sixth and final race of the series just before the start.

Whilst disappointed not to race the fleet was in agreement with the decision and happily retired to the marina to relax and prepare for the Panerai British Classic Week Gala Prize Giving Dinner.

Griff Rhys Jones, actor, comedian and owner of the 1948 Olin Stephens 57’ Bermudan Yawl ‘Argyll’, had the gala dinner audience in stitches with anecdotes of classic yacht ownership. His analogy that “Sailing a classic boat is like taking a piece of Chippendale furniture and throwing it into the sea, and then steering other bits of Chippendale furniture within inches of it.” particularly appealed to them.

Amandine Rohmer of Panerai was then welcomed to the stage by British Classic Yacht Club (BCYC) founder Tim Blackman to present the overall victors with their trophies and unique Panerai Plates.

With straight wins in both Class 4 and the combined Fleet races, the 1897 William Fife III designed Cork Harbour One Design ‘Jap’, the oldest boat in the regatta and at just over 30’ one of the smallest, was named Panerai British Classic Week Champion 2015. The second time her name has been added to this illustrious trophy, the first being in 2012.

‘Jap’ was sailed this week by owner David Sherriff, Martin Payne, Toby Mumford, Lauren Fry, Mark Yeabsley, Olympic Rowing Gold Medallist Zach Purchase, and with Paralympic Gold Medallist Andy Cassell helming all the points series races, plus America’s Cup legend Harold Cudmore guest helming on Thursday. Martin Payne summed up the crew’s feelings saying, “It was a fantastic event and I’m really proud of the team. Andy helmed brilliantly, the foredeck crew (all four of them) sailed with both skill and fun, whilst Sheriff was on the main and I called the tactics. It’s wonderful when a crew really works together and that happened for us this week. The competition was tough too with so many beautiful boats that were seriously on the pace to race against.”

As well as a Panerai Radiomir 1940 3 Days Acciaio watch ‘Jap’ also received the British Classic Yacht Club Racing Trophy, the Cereste Trophy and Panerai Plate for Class Four. In his acceptance speech David Sherriff thanked his fellow competitors for their hospitality, Panerai for their incredible support of the classic yacht movement and the BCYC under whose flag ‘Jap’ had the honour of sailing this week.

The Flight Trophy for the yacht placed second overall in the regatta went to Giovanni Belgrano’s ‘Whooper’, which also won the Commodore’s Cup for Class 3 for the second successive year. A 39’ Laurent Giles sloop built by Woodnutts of Bembridge in 1939, she was intended to be a shallow-draft cruiser, but her natural reaching and downwind speed exceeded expectations. Anecdotes from Peter Bruce recall Channel crossings in the 1960’s at average speeds over 10 knots – exceptional for the era!

Third place overall, the EFG International Trophy and the Event Trophy for Class 5 went to Pascal Oddo’s 1930 Q Class ‘Jour de Fete’, designed to the Herreschoff Universal Rule and skippered by America’s Cup Legend Bruno Troublé,

The Event Trophy for Class 0 was won by John Caulcutt, Jamie Matheson and Stephen Hemsley’s ‘Mariquita’. Designed by Wiliam Fife III and launched in 1911 ‘Mariquita’ was one of four 19 Metres, that raced successfully until the start of the Great War. She spent more than forty years as a houseboat on the Orwell before being fully restored by Fairlee Restorations in 1991.

Regatta Chairman Sean McMillan’s ‘Flight of Ufford’ won the Lutine Trophy for Class 1’s Modern Classics. A Spirit 52, ‘Flight of Ufford’ was designed by her owner as a fast cruiser for himself and his wife Jenny. This is her tenth year at the regatta where she has achieved considerable success over the years.

BCYC Commodore David Murrin’s ‘Cetewayo’ claimed the Corinthian Cup for Class 2. Designed by Laurent Giles and built by Morris and Latimer in 1955, this 48’ fractional sloop has been the subject of an ongoing restoration and improvement programme that has included a complete rebuild of the transom rudder and steering allowing extra winches to be installed, facilitating the use of higher performance modern race sails.

The Universal 8 Cup for the first 8 Metre was awarded to Avia Willment’s 1926 Frank Morgan Giles designed ‘Siris’, which Classic Boat ranks as one of their Top 200 most beautiful yachts in the World.

There were also a number of fun presentations such as The Stiff Drink Trophy, which went to Jeremy John’s ‘Matambu’ for sheer determination in completing the Around The Island Race, finishing precisely 1 second before the time limit. The Lallow Cup for the best-presented new entrant was awarded to ‘Jour de Fete’, and the Seamanship Award presented by Classic Boat went to Murdoch McKillop’s 8 Metre ‘Saskia’ for their rapid rescue of bowman Mark “Gonz” Gonzolez who slipped overboard during an unexpectedly quick tack.

The regatta concludes tomorrow, Saturday 25 July, with a Parade of Sail past the Royal Yacht Squadron and Cowes Green at 11.00.

Report by Fiona Brown

Around the Island on Day Five of Panerai British Classic Week 2015

It was an early start for competitors on the fifth day of Panerai British Classic Week 2015 as they prepared for the start of the Around The Island Race sponsored by EFG International from the Royal Yacht Squadron line at 08.00. For those who didn’t fancy such a long day afloat there was an inshore round the cans race starting at 10.00.

The Around the Island Race was largely won and lost on the beat out of the Solent through Hurst narrows. The tide had turned flood forcing the fleet to decide between the mainland and Island shores. The Island side was the shorter distance but the wind was lighter in under the Needles cliffs. Going out on the mainland shore meant sailing to the north of the Shingles Bank which added significant distance but kept the boats in better wind.

Vincent De Vries who sailed ‘L’Esprit du Morbihan’ to third place chose the northerly route and pushed it as hard as he could. “We knew there was a back eddy off Hurst and we saw Cetewayo, but didn’t believe what happened because they were ahead by 1.5 miles and we got to them in maybe a minute. We had perhaps 5 knots of current in the eddy. We tacked maybe six times, only going 25 metres from the shore each time. We could touch the posts on the end of Hurst Castle. We didn’t know if there were any rocks but we went for it. We came out a couple of hundred meters ahead of them and that was fantastic.”.

Race winner Giovanni Belgrano of ‘Whooper’ opted for the Island shore and explained that the decision caused them some nervous moments too. “We had to work so hard. We took a big risk and tacked right in under the cliffs and then up over the Varvassi to keep out of the tide to get to the virtual mark.”

Finishing between ‘Whooper’ and ‘L’Esprit du Morbihan’ for third place was Michael Hough’s ‘Chloe Racing Spirit. Line honours in the Around the Island Race went to Michael O’Flaherty’s ‘Soufriere’.

The boats doing the inshore Solent race were sent off to the west for a beat towards Beaulieu, then a reach across to Gurnard Ledge and finally a run home. For the first time all week David Sherriff’s ‘Jap” was knocked off the top spot, finishing third behind Avia Willment’s ‘Siris’ in second and Pascal Oddo’s ‘Jour de Fete’ in first.

Back ashore the outcome of the Jury’s deliberations on race four were revealed and they awarded an elapsed time adjustment redress to those who had been affected. As a result we can now advise that the winners of Race Four were Armin Fischer and Robert Towbin’s ‘Sumurun’ in Class 0, Stephen O’Flaherty’s ‘Soufriere’ in Class 1, David Murrin’s ‘Cetewayo’ in Class 2, Giovanni Belgrano’s ‘Whooper’ in Class 3, David Sherriff’s ‘Jap’ in Class 4 and Pascal Oddo’s ‘Jour de Fete’ in Class 5.

Today’s Around the Island race does not count towards the series points, but with the results of race four decided we can now confirm the overall standings and that tomorrow will see some very close battles for podium places.

John Caulcutt, Jamie Matheson and Stephen Hemsley’s ‘Mariquita’ leads Class 0 by a single point from ‘Sumurun’ with Zbynek Zak’s ‘Eleonora’ ten points behind in third.

Class 1 is led overall by Sean McMillan’s ‘Flight of Ufford’ who has a three point delta over ‘Soufriere’ with ‘Chloe Racing Spirit’ ten points adrift in third.

‘Cetewayo’ is leading Class 2 by three points from Jamie Matheson’s ‘Opposition”, who in turn is six points ahead of ‘L’Espirit du Morbihan’

With five bullets to her name and the introduction of a discard after tomorrow’s final race ‘Whooper’ has secured Class 3 and Andy King’s ‘Gluckauf’ is assured of second, but the battle for the final podium place between Barney Sandeman’s ‘Laughing Gull’ and Andrew and Mary Hales ‘Freyja’, who are separated by just two points, will be tight.

The podium is already decided in Class four where ‘Jap’ takes victory with five straight firsts, Jonathan Dyke’s ‘Cereste’ is second with five second places and Timothy Wood’s ‘L’Etoile’ is third with a 17 point lead over his nearest rival.

Class 5, incorporating the 8 Metres, on the other hand will go down to the wire. Pascal Oddo’s Q Class ‘Jour de Fete’ had a three point lead over leading 8 Metre ‘Siris’, while David Parsons, Jonathan Cork and David Glasgow’s ‘Athena’ and Murdoch McKillop’s ‘Saskia’ will fight it out for third place.

Racing concludes tomorrow with a final around the cans race starting from the Royal Yacht Squadron line and the regatta concludes on Saturday 25 July with a Parade of Sail past the Royal Yacht Squadron and Cowes Green at 11.00.

Report by Fiona Brown

Leading Ladies and Lively Conditions on Day Four of Panerai British Classic Week 2015

Day four of Panerai British Classic Week 2015 featured both race five of the formal racing series and the traditional Ladies Race. For race five the boats were sent to the west in a building sea breeze for a great mainly windward/leeward romp. With a strong flood tide running, the ability to accurately judge the lay-lines proved to be the day’s most useful skill. Sadly not every boat got it right and there were a number that had to take two and even three bites of the cherry to round marks.

The fleet looked stunning close tacking up the Island shore attempting to dodge the rocks. Several boats left their tacks too late including Liz and Mark Rushall’s Honeybee ‘Ragdoll’, who managed to free themselves, and James Youngman’s Lutine of Helford, being helmed today by double Moth World Champion Simon Payne of Official Clothing Partner Zhik, who wasn’t quite as lucky when she hit Gurnard Ledge and got stuck firm on a lee shore and were eventually forced to call for assistance and retire.

The start for Class 0 was the closest of the week and watching these incredibly powerful but stately ladies close tacking was a thrill for all. John Caulcutt, Jamie Matheson and Stephen Hemsley’s ‘Mariquita’ claimed their third race victory of the series from Armin Fischer and Robert Towbin’s ‘Sumurn’ with Zbynek Zak’s ‘Eleonora’ third.

Sean McMillan’s ‘Flight of Ufford’ also claimed her third win of the series in Class 1 for the Modern Classics. 2014 Modern Classics winner ‘Soufriere’, owned by Stephen O’Flaherty took second and Brian Scowcroft’s ‘Phantom’ was third.

Although Ed Dubois ‘Firebrand’ made a spectacular port tack start in Class 2, it was David Murrin in ‘Cetewayo’ who went on to win by over four minutes from Vincent De Vries’ ‘L’Esprit du Morbihan’, with Jamie Matheson’s ‘Opposition’ third.

Giovanni Belgrano’s Whooper won Class 3 by an even bigger margin of 18 minutes and 37 seconds. Barney Sandeman’s ‘Laughing Gull’ took second with Andy King’s Gluckauf third.

‘Jap’, the oldest yacht in the regatta at 118 years young, which this week is being helmed by Paralympic Gold Medallist Andy Cassell, continued her domination of Class 4 with another win. Jonathan Dyke’s ‘Cereste’ finished third, almost a minute ahead of Luke Alexander Yeates’ ‘Spirit of Marion’.

In Class 5 Pascal Oddo’s Q Class ‘Jour de Fete’ won Class while Avia Willment’s ‘Siris’ was first 8 Metre by just 18 seconds from Murdoch McKillop’s ‘Saskia’.

After a short break for lunch it was time for a bit of girl power as the boats came to the line for the Ladies Race. With the wind now approaching 30 knots and some very big wind over tide waves it was definitely not a race for the feint hearted. Whilst some boats sailed with their usual crews plus a lady helm, Griff Rhys Jones’ ‘Argyll’ brought in an almost all female crew for the race. With top multihull sailor and classic regatta regular Maddy Anderson taking the lion’s share of the helming duties they acquitted themselves admirably finishing a close second to Laura Dillon helming ‘Soufriere’.

Post racing top Irish match racer Laura explained that she flew in especially for today’s race to helm Soufriere for the first time. She laughed that one of her biggest challenges was actually seeing the tell tails. Owner and regular helm Stephen O’Flaherty agreed explaining that the boat is so narrow it’s a struggle to see them unless you sit to leeward. Laura particularly thanked tactician Nigel Young and mainsheet man Maurice “Prof” O’Connell for their input during the day. Nigel in turn praised Laura’s helming skills, which saw them take off from the start line under spinnaker like a scalded cat at maximum speed.

Today the International Jury continued its deliberations in regard to Race 4 and whether boats had or had not sailed the correct course. Having yesterday decided not to disqualify anyone who had passed to port of the offending mark Gurnard, today it decided that those boats who had passed to starboard were entitled to request redress and instructed boats who wished to do so to sign a declaration at the Race Office by 18.00 on Thursday 23 July. Whilst this does bring some clarity, it unfortunately means that we are still not able to confirm the results of race 4 and the overall standings.

Tomorrow the yachts will take part in the Around the Island Race sponsored by EFG International, starting to the west from the Royal Yacht Squadron line at 08.00. There will also be an alternative inshore race starting at 10.00 for those not wishing to go offshore. Racing continues until Friday 24 July and the regatta will conclude on Saturday 25 July with a Parade of Sail past the Royal Yacht Squadron and Cowes Green at 11.00.

Report by Fiona Brown

Fast paced action on third day of Panerai British Classic Week 2015

The sun returned on the third day of Panerai British Classic Week 2015 and the fleet enjoyed two spectacular round the cans races in the Western Solent, races three and four of the series. Whilst the classes raced separately in the morning they came together for a combined fleet race in the afternoon.

It was a truly glorious day’s sailing and race three gave the boats fantastic flat water sailing in 15 to 18 knots from the south west. With the tide flooding the boats came off the Royal Yacht Squadron start line and headed inshore for a classic short tacking battle up Cowes Green, much to the delight of the spectators.

Race four by contrast was in rough water as the ebbing tide versus building sea breeze created a classic Solent chop. Class 0, who start first for safety reasons because of their size, got away on the first attempt, but the combined fleet start proved rather trickier as there was significant port end bias on the line and some 70+ boats wanting to start in the same place. The initial effort resulted in a general recall and although the fleet got away cleanly at the second time of asking it was more than a little frantic at the Squadron end of the line.

As they returned to the dock the sailors all had huge grins on their faces and were in high spirits. Sadly back ashore it transpired that although race three results were secure, the results of race four were subject to protests by both competitors and the Race Committee as a large number of boats had passed Gurnard Buoy to port on the run back to the finish, which appeared to be in contradiction with the Sailing Instructions. The International Jury, being chaired this week by Bryan Willis, deliberated and concluded that the Sailing Instructions were ambiguously worded. As a result the protests against those boats that had passed the buoy to port were dismissed, but tomorrow the Jury will open a hearing to consider redress for the boats that passed the mark to starboard,

Fortunately the sailors of classic boats are a very positive bunch and so, despite the confusion and uncertainty of the protest and redress hearings, they threw themselves into the post racing Open Yachts Dock Party with abandon, enjoying free drinks, a paella supper, a live band and a great opportunity to indulge in their favourite activity of showing off and talking about their yachts.

Although we are unable to bring you the overall and race four results at this time, what we can confirm is that the victors in race three were Armin Fischer and Robert Towbin’s ‘Sumurun’ in Class 0, Sean McMillan’s ‘Flight of Ufford’ in Class 1, Jamie Matheson’s ‘Opposition’ in Class 2, Giovanni Belgrano’s ‘Whooper’ in Class 3, David Sherriff’s ‘Jap’ in Class 4 and Avia Willment’s ‘Siris’ in Class 5.

But Panerai British Classic Week is about more than just race results. It is a celebration of these historic boats and their fascinating stories.

The delightful Solent 38 One Design gaff cutter ‘Kelpie’ was built in 1903 by J G Fay & Co to an Alfred Milne design and is one of the oldest boats competing. One of eight sister ships, she originally rated as a 42 linear rater. In 1907 she competed in the first ever 12 Metre race but was quickly outclassed as a 12 by boats designed and built specifically to the rule. In 1923 she was re-rigged still as a gaff cutter, but with a much taller mast and shorter bow-sprit and boom, enabling her to compete successfully again as a 12 for a short time, even against the early Bermudan-rigged boats. Her current owner Pelham Olive has extensively restored her and taken her back, as far as possible, to her 1920s rig.

‘Argyll’ was designed in 1948 by Olin Stephens and built by Simms Brothers in Massachussets for American shipping magnate William T Moore, who transported her to regattas on his liners. She won the Newport-Bermuda Race of 1950 and her racing success continues today under the ownership of British television star Griff Rhys Jones with whom she has won a number of trophies on the Mediterranean Classics circuit as well as finishing second in this year’s Panerai Transatlantic Race. She has also starred in several of Griff’s television programmes.

Tomorrow race five of the series and the Ladies Race will be run and the forecast is for more good winds. Racing continues until Friday 24 July and the regatta will conclude on Saturday 25 July with a Parade of Sail past the Royal Yacht Squadron and Cowes Green at 11.00.

Report by Fiona Brown

Panerai British Classic Week 2015 opens in style with hot sunshine, great breeze and a fleet of 77 classic yachts on sparkling form

Panerai British Classic Week 2015 got off to a spectacular start off Cowes with an opening Solent course race in glorious sunshine and a warm southwesterly breeze of 15-25 knots. With such fabulous conditions the 77 strong fleet, racing in six separate classes, was raring to go, but a building ebb tide saw several boats swept over the start line early and forced to return and restart.

First away were the giants of Class 0, who swept majestically down the Solent with truly awe-inspiring power. From the outset John Caulcutt, Jamie Matheson and Stephen Hemsley’s 1911 William Fife II Cutter ‘Mariquita’ and Armin Fisher and Robert Towbin’s 1914 William Fife III Ketch ‘Sumurun’ were well matched and after almost three hours of racing they finished just eighteen seconds apart on corrected time with ‘Mariquita’ claiming victory. Third place went to Zak Zbynek’s Nathanial G Herreshof designed ‘Eleonora’, who has come all the way from Newport, Rhode Island in the USA to attend the event.

Next off were the Modern Classics of Class 1 and 2014 class winner ‘Soufriere’, a Sean McMillan designed 16.7m Spirit Yacht, gave notice that she intends to retain the trophy by winning the opening race by just over a minute from Sean McMillan’s own Spirit 52 ‘Flight of Ufford’. Third place went to regatta newcomer David Grylls at the helm of his recently refitted Spirit 45 ‘Helen of Durgan”.

Class 2 is traditionally one of the closest fought of the regatta and this year looks to be no different. The opening race went to David Murrin’s 1955 Laurent Giles designed 48’ Sloop ‘Cetewayo’ which reveled in today’s choppy and at times challenging conditions. Her closest rival was Jamie Matheson’s ‘Opposition’, the 1971 Sparkman and Stephens designed IOR Two Tonner originally built for British Prime Minister Ted Heath. On the line, Ed Dubois’ 1965 Olin Stephens Admiral’s Cupper ‘Firebrand’ claimed third place, but back ashore a protest was lodged against her by Gildas Rostain’s ‘Stiren’ in relation to a port/starboard incident just after the start. The International Jury found against ‘Firebrand’ and as a result she was disqualified and Vincent De Vries’ L’Esprit Du Morbihan, a 1969 Dick Carter designed One Tonner, moves up into third place.

For the 8 Metre Class the big Solent chop and strong winds made for a very lively day. Pascal Oddo’s 1930 Q Class ‘Jour de Fête’, racing by invitation with the 8 Metre Class, found the conditions most to her liking, beating Avia Willment’s 1926 Frank Morgan Giles designed ‘Siris’, which took second in class and first 8 Meter. Murdoch McKillop’s Saskia, designed in 1931 by William Fife III, took third place and second 8 Metre.

Reigning Panerai British Classic Week champion Giovanni Belgrano’s one off Laurent Giles sloop ‘Whooper’ and Andy King’s Henry Rasmussen designed 30 Square Metre ‘Gluckauf’, affectionately known throughout the fleet as the ‘Flying Toothpick’ thanks to here extremely low freeboard, enjoyed a fantastic battle for supremacy in Class 3. ‘Whooper’ eventually got the upper hand while Lawrence Wride’s ‘Sunmaid V’, a 1967 Sparkman and Stephens One Tonner also making her first appearance at a Panerai British Classic Week, claimed third place.

Class 4 was dominated by David Sherriff’s 1897 William Fife III Gaff Cutter ‘Jap’. After racing ‘Jap’s’ tactician Martin Payne explained “We’d seen the problems some of the previous starters had had when they started on starboard heading into towards the Island shore, only to find themselves pushed rapidly over the line with no clearing lane to tack into and no room to bear away. We elected to start on port and it paid off handsomely. We had to dip a couple of transoms, but we got a choice of lane and clear air. David and his boys sail the boat extremely well so we were able to consolidate on every leg.” They went on to win the race by almost 7 minutes from Jonathan Dyke’s Robert Clark Ten Tonner ‘Cereste’ with Ian Welsh’s 1966 Prior 37 ‘Caressa’, designed by Alan Buchanan, third.

This evening the crews are enjoying a Welcome Reception at the Royal Yacht Squadron. Tomorrow’s forecast is for southwesterly winds of up to 30 knots so the planned Around The Island Race sponsored by EFG International has been postponed until Thursday. Instead the fleet will sail the Long Inshore Race sponsored by Classic Boat supported by Wight Vodka, starting at 10.00 from the Royal Yacht Squadron line. Racing continues until Friday 24 July and the regatta will conclude on Saturday 25 July with a Parade of Sail past the Royal Yacht Squadron and Cowes Green at 11.00.

Report by Fiona Brown

Fleets come together in spectacular style for day two of Panerai British Classic Week 2015

The second day of Panerai British Classic Week 2015 may have featured grey skies and drizzle, but nothing could dampen the spirits of the 77 strong fleet of classic yachts as they came together for a spectacular Long Inshore Race sponsored by Classic Boat in partnership with Wight Vodka. Five of the six classes started en-mass with only Class 0 starting separately and all boats raced the same course allowing for combined fleet results to be given as well as Class results.

After a short postponement the big boats of Class 0 got away on an exciting high-speed broad reach from the Royal Yacht Squadron line heading east. Ten minutes later the remaining classes set off in pursuit making a wonderful sight as they bowled down the Solent with their spinnakers billowing out before them.

Although the bigger boats had achieved some separation by the first mark at Browndown, the bulk of the fleet arrived in a huge pack making for some nail biting moments as they vied for space around the mark. Fortunately the majority of boats somehow found their way around safely, but a few got caught up in the mêlée including Stephen Jones’s Modern Classic ‘Meteor’ which arrived on the inside of a large group which refused to make room, forcing ‘Meteor’ to spin out for a second bite of the cherry. Later in the race ‘Meteor’s’ jib clew blew out so she had to retire.

Simon Payne’s Nicholson Jolina 35 ‘Damian B’ also had their fare share of excitement, but fortunately quick thinking enabled them to finish the race. “We started with wheel steering and we finished with tiller steering.’ Explained Simon. “We went round the penultimate mark and snapped our steering wires so had to rig the emergency tiller for the last reach and a beat.” Despite their troubles they still managed to finish sixth in Class 4.

Not wanting to miss out on the drama, 8 Metre Saskia’s bowman Mark (Gonz) Gonzolez was swept off the foredeck by the genoa during an unexpectedly quick tack. Displaying great presence of mind he grabbed hold of a trailing sheet and was promptly hoisted back aboard by one arm by fellow crew member Big Malc.

Whilst John Caulcutt, Jamie Matheson and Stephen Hemsley’s ‘Mariquita’ claimed line honours and a win in Class 0 and Stephen O’Flaherty’s ‘Soufriere’ led the other fleets home to win the Modern Classics, it was actually a day for the small boats and in the overall combined fleet David Sherriff’s diminutive Cork One Design ‘Jap’ won the overall race, and Class 4, by an impressive margin of over nine minutes on corrected time. Second place overall and victory in Class 3 went to Giovanni Belgrano’s ‘Whooper’, while Pascal Oddo’s ‘Jour de Fete’, being skippered this week by Bruno Troublé, took third overall.

After his disqualification following a port/starboard incident yesterday, Ed Dubois and his crew aboard ‘Firebrand’ sailed a fabulous race today putting them into fourth in the overall fleet and first in Class 2, thirty seconds ahead of nearest Class 2 rival ‘Cetewayo” owned by David Murrin. Avia Willment’s ‘Siris’ romped home to victory in the 8 Metre Class and sixth overall.

Tomorrow’s forecast is for glorious sunshine and a southwesterly wind that is expected to build from the low teens to mid twenties through the day. Two inshore races are scheduled with the first start at 10.00. Racing continues until Friday Friday 24 July and the regatta will conclude on Saturday 25 July with a Parade of Sail past the Royal Yacht Squadron and Cowes Green at 11.00.

Report by Fiona Brown

Entries Booming for Panerai British Classic Week 2015

Already more than 70 entries have registered for Panerai British Classic Week 2015, which will take place from 18th – 25th July at Cowes Yacht Haven.

Leading the international visitors are French America’s Cup legend Bruno Troublé who will skipper ‘Jour de Fête’, a “Q Boat” designed by Paine/Burgess to Herreschoff’s Universal Rule and built by Lawley in Boston in 1930, and the awe inspiring ‘Eleonora’, which at just shy of 50m long is the largest yacht entered to date and was built to a Nathaniel G Hereschoff schooner design by Van de Graaf in 2000.

The oldest yachts competing include David Sherriff’s delightful 1897 Fife Gaff Cutter ‘Jap’, winner of Panerai British Classic Week in 2012, Richard Oswald’s 1902 Fred Shepherd Gaff Schooner ‘Coral’, and Pelham Olive’s 1903 Alfred Mylne Gaff Cutter ‘Kelpie’.

The regatta attracts classic yachts of all shapes and sizes and the smallest currently entered is Michael Frith’s 1964 Kroes en Zonen designed 7.4m Bermudan Sloop ‘Blue Eagle’, whilst the largest are ‘Eleonora” and the spectacular 29m long 1911 William Fife Gaff Cutter ‘Mariquita’, owned by John Caulcutt, Jamie Matheson and Stephen Hemsley.

Giovani Belgrano’s defending Panerai British Classic Week champion Whooper, comes to the regatta fresh from overall victory in the IRC Classes at the JP Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race. Other past winners of the event hoping to add their name to the event’s prestigious trophies again include David Murrin’s 1955 Laurent Giles Sloop ‘Cetewayo’, Jamie Matheson’s ‘Opposition’, the 1971 Sparkman & Stephens sloop built by Lallows for British Prime Minister Ted Heath, and Murdoch McKillop’s 1931 Fife designed International 8 Metre ‘Saskia’.

The Modern Classic Classes, for the Spirit Yachts and modern yachts built with the appearance of a classic, will be hotly contested as always with Stephen Jones’s self designed ‘Meteor’, Regatta Chairman Sean McMillan’s Spirit 52 ‘Flight of Ufford’ and Stephen O’Flaherty’s ‘Soufriere’, which famously starred in the 2006 James Bond movie Casino Royale, heading the list of possible Modern Classics winners.

Whilst the boats remain the stars of the show, there are nonetheless always plenty of human stars in attendance too. Making his first appearance at Panerai British Classic Week is double International Moth World Champion Simon Payne, who will be swopping his foiling speed machine for his extremely elegant but somewhat slower Nicholson Jolina 35 ‘Damian B’. TV star and well-known classic boat enthusiast Griff Rhys-Jones will make a welcome return to the regatta aboard his 1948 Olin Stephens designed Bermudan Yawl ‘Argyll’, and as always the crew lists will feature a host of internationally renowned sailors.

Also playing a key role in the regatta’s success are the event sponsors led by Title Sponsor Officine Panerai, and supported by Official Partner Sponsor EFG, Official Media Partner Classic Boat, Race Day Sponsor Sandeman Yacht Company, Official Rum Supplier Mount Gay Rum and Official Clothing Supplier Zhik.

Also playing a key role in the regatta’s success are the event sponsors led by Title Sponsor Officine Panerai, and supported by Official Partner Sponsor EFG, Official Media Partner Classic Boat, Race Day Sponsor Sandeman Yacht Company, Official Rum Supplier Mount Gay Rum and Official Clothing Supplier Zhik.

Ashore the Panerai Lounge will be the focal point for pre and post sailing gatherings and the social programme includes a Welcome Reception at the Royal Yacht Squadron, the traditional “Open Yachts” Pontoon Party, and the Prize Giving Dinner at Cowes Yacht Haven Events Centre.