WHOOPER WINS BRITISH CLASSIC WEEK 2023

After a six-race series in windy conditions, Laurent Giles designed sloop Whooper triumphed to win this year’s British Classic Week regatta overall.  There was just one point between Whooper and second place Timoa after a competitive week of fast-paced racing.

Above: Whooper scoops the overall regatta winner prize

Owner of Whooper, Giovanni Belgrano, commented, “It was nice to see old and new friends, all of whom were on well-prepared, well-sailed, beautiful boats.  The Solent was at its best and plenty of wind all week helped us.  I’m very proud of our crew, how we performed, and how we behaved.  We are all looking forward to next year already.”

Above: champagne sailing in the Solent

This year’s British Classic Week welcomed a fleet of over 40 classic and modern classic sail and motor yachts from the UK and across Europe.  Yachts ranged from a 26ft Stella to a recently launched Spirit 72DH.  The oldest yacht in the fleet was a gaff rigged yacht named Eilun built in 1896.  This year’s entries also included a 6mR class competing in an eight-race series ahead of the 6mR worlds later in the summer.

Above: gaff-rigged Eilun

Despite high winds forcing postponement of racing on day one of the regatta, the race management team at the Royal Yacht Squadron managed to hold a full six-race series for the main fleet, including the 30nm NAB Tower Race and the Lady Helm Race.

Above: Spirit 72DH Gwenhyfar II passes the forts on the NAB Tower Race

Class 1 was won by Spirit 52 Happy Forever, which travelled to British Classic Week from Spain.  Overall regatta winner Whooper won class 2, and class 3 was won by a Kim Holman designed Stella named Timoa.  Whooper also won the Lady Helm Race and Timoa took the title for the NAB Tower Race.

Above: Spirit 52 Happy Forever

In the 6mR Open Division, Oiva delivered four wins and four second places to win the class.  Abu made it five wins out of eight races to win the 6mR Classic Division.

British Classic Yacht Club Commodore Jonathan Dyke said, “It was another fantastic week of racing and socialising for a fleet of passionate owners and their talented crews.  It was particularly wonderful to see so many young people in the fleet, developing their sailing and establishing the next generation of classic yacht enthusiasts.”

Above: 6mRs Oiva and Battlecry rounding the mark

Throughout the week, there was just as much happening shoreside as there was on the water.  Highlights of the week included welcome drinks at the Royal Yacht Squadron and the infamous Pontoon Party sponsored by Classic Boat magazine, with drinks supplied by Hattiers Rum and Dartmouth Gin.

Above: Hattiers Rum and Dartmouth Gin kept the drinks flowing at the Pontoon Party

Regatta charity partner Tall Ships Youth Trust was onsite all week engaging with competitors and guests to promote the invaluable support it gives disadvantaged young people by providing life-changing experiences at sea.

Above: TSYT Director of Youth Development and Outdoor Learning Kirsty French spoke passionately at the prize giving dinner

The dates for next year’s British Classic Week are set for 13th – 20th July 2024.

BLUSTERY ROUND THE CANS RACING ON DAY 6 AT BRITISH CLASSIC WEEK

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.

CHAMPAGNE SAILING FOR THE LONG INSHORE ON DAY 5 AT BRITISH CLASSIC WEEK

After a slight delay waiting for the wind to fill in, the British Classic Week fleet enjoyed champagne sailing for the Long Inshore Race sponsored by Classic Boat magazine on day five of the regatta. 

The fleet set off on the Royal Yacht Squadron (RYS) combined line in 10-12 knots with a westerly running tide.  There was some close tacking upwind off the line as the yachts began the long first leg up to Solent Bank in the West.

Rounding the mark to port, spinnakers were hoisted in Solent sunshine as the fleet steered towards the Isle of Wight shore to get in out of the tide.  Gybing before the mark and rounding to port, it was a tight reach to Craft Insure.  Some opted to drop kites at the mark, others held code zeros or spinnakers (just!), making sure the strong westerly tide in the middle of the Solent didn’t carry them down too far.

Tacking around Craft Insure to port, it was a beat with the tide to Cowes Radio and back downwind under spinnakers to The Boss.  The fleet created quite a spectacle in the Solent sunshine gliding down under a rainbow of coloured kites.

With the afternoon drawing to a close, the Race Officer shortened course for Class 3 at The Boss.  Classes 1 and 2 continued from The Boss on a westerly leg upwind to Hampstead Lodge.  Rounding the mark to port and hoisting spinnakers as they went, the fleet tucked close inshore out of the tide down to the RYS finish, passing Gurnard to port on their way.

With a shortened course for Class 3, there was no overall race winner. Spirit 52 Happy Forever won Class 1, Whooper continued her winning streak in Class 2, and Cereste won in Class 3.

Over in the north of the Solent near Hamble Yacht Services, the 6mR classes had two races in glorious conditions.  In the Classic Division, Abu took two race wins and in the Open Division Oiva won Race 6 and Battlecry won Race 7.  Abu and Oiva are currently winning their respective divisions with one day’s racing left.

A JAM-PACKED DAY ON THE WATER ON DAY FOUR AT BRITISH CLASSIC WEEK

Day four of British Classic Week was packed with fast-paced racing for the classic fleet and the 6mR classes. 

In the morning, the classic and modern classic fleet took on the regatta’s Lady Helm Race and the replacement race that was cancelled earlier in the week.

Contributing to the overall series points, the Lady Helm Race saw the fleet set off upwind to the West on the RYS combined line to East Lepe.  With the tide running East, the fleet tucked close inshore, which made for some tight racing to get out of the tide.

Having started in 11 knots from the West, the wind continued to build throughout the race with gusts of 18-19 knots.  From East Lepe to port, kites were hoisted across to Gurnard and a series of windward/leeward legs followed to Williams Shipping, back to East Lepe, and a return to Gurnard before heading to the finish at the RYS line.

Laurent Giles sloop Whooper triumphed in the Lady Helm Race overall, followed by Spirit 52 Happy Forever in second, and Stella Timoa in third.

As soon as the last yachts crossed the line to finish the morning race there was barely time for crews to grab a sandwich before they were back on the racetrack for class racing around the cans.

The race office set short courses for Classes 1-3, with individual class starts from the RYS inner line.  Each class set off downwind against the tide in strong breeze with gusts of 20-22 knots from the west.

Classes 1 and 2 held spinnakers to East Bramble, rounding the mark to starboard and reaching across to the Isle of Wight shore to take Mother Bank to port.  From the strong gusts at the start, the wind dropped right off mid-race back to 11-12 knots.

From Mother Bank, it was another reach back up to Royal Yacht Squadron off the mainland coast and a beat back with the tide in gusts of 18-20 knots to the RYS line.

Class 3 sailed a similar but shorter course downwind to Ancasta, a reach across to Peel Bank and north to East Bramble.  Taking East Bramble to port it was a short beat with the tide to the RYS line.

The afternoon race was won by Crusade in Class 1, Whooper in Class 2, and the gaff cutter Eilun in Class 3.

In the 6mR classes Battlecry did the double in Open Division winning both races and Abu made it two wins from two races in the Classic Division.

ROUND THE CANS RACING ON DAY THREE AT BRITISH CLASSIC WEEK

Day three at British Classic Week saw round the cans racing sponsored by OneSails GBR for Classes 1-3 and the 6mR class.

Above: the Spirits head downwind on the first leg

Classes 1 and 2 sailed the same course, setting off from the Royal Yacht Squadron (RYS) inner line with the tide in 5 knots of wind from the West.  The first leg was arguably the most challenging of the whole race and tacticians were tested to find the strongest tide and avoid the wind holes.

Above: Class 2 start

Rounding West Ryde Middle to port in very little wind, the yachts gently hardened up and dropped spinnakers for the steady tight reach to South Bramble.  As the breeze filled in, Classes 1 and 2 rounded South Bramble to port and broad reached to Royal London YC.  Rounding the mark to port it was a reach up to the mainland coast and Royal Thames and a beat up the Solent to The Boss.

Above: Clyde Linear 30 Mikado

 From the Boss, Classes 1 and 2 crossed the Solent in a now westerly running tide to Gurnard.  From there, it was a spinnaker run down to the finish at the RYS with yachts tucking close inshore out of the oncoming tide.

Above: Timoa, Whooper and Helen sail to the finish

Class 3 sailed the same, shorter course avoiding Royal London YC and Royal Thames.

 Class 1 was won by the smallest yacht in the class, Spirit 37 Strega.  Whooper and Timoa both made it two winds from two races, winning Class 2 and 3 respectively.

Above: Spirit 72DH Gwenhyfar II crossing the line

The 6mRs sailed two races around the cans, the first of which in the Classic Division was won by Nirvana and Erica took the second.  In the Open Division, Oiva made it three wins from three races so far.

Before regatta racing started, sailors and spectators ashore watched the new Spirit BAR Technologies 35EF (electric foiling) yacht Moquai set off on a time trial around the Isle of Wight.  The goal was to beat the time for the fastest electric drive yacht doing the same trip.  The previous record was set at just under six hours, the Spirit 35EF smashed that record with a time of one hour 56 seconds.

Above: Spirit 35EF Moquai

STELLA TIMOA WINS THE NAB TOWER RACE AT BRITISH CLASSIC WEEK

With racing cancelled yesterday on day one of British Classic Week, owners and crew were keen to get out on the water for some action today.  The 30nm NAB Tower Race sponsored by Spirit Yachts was won by one of the smallest boats in the fleet, 26ft Stella Timoa.  Line honours went to the new Spirit 72DH Gwenhyfar II.

Above: fleet start (winner Timoa far right)

It was an early start for the fleet, which set off from the Royal Yacht Squadron (RYS) line just after 8am.  With 18 knots blowing from the SW and the tide running east, the yachts sailed a downwind start from the combined RYS line.

Above: Spirit 72DH Gwenhyfar II passing the forts

A backdrop of ominous dark clouds looming of the RYS and a rainbow to the west behind the fleet of classic and modern classic yachts flying spinnakers down the Solent provided quite the spectacle.

Above: Spirit 52 Flight of Ufford

Most yachts opted to sail south of No Mans Land Fort staying in the stronger tide out to the NAB Tower.  As the gusts crept up to 19-20 knots some held kites whilst others opted for Code Zeros or played it safe with white sails.

Above: Crusade powering downwind

Rounding the tower to starboard, the fleet was close together and the overall win was anyone’s for the taking on the homeward leg.  The larger yachts beat back against a still oncoming tide whilst the smaller yachts took advantage of the favourable tidal change propelling them back to the finish.

Above: 30SqM Aelous rounding the NAB Tower

Overall winner Andrew Gilmour of Stella Timoa said, “Today delivered some fantastic racing in good breeze amongst a competitive fleet of beautifully maintained yachts.”

After Race 1, the class leaders are Crusade (Class 1), Whooper (Class 2), and Timoa (Class 3).

Above: Cetewayo and Ondine of Ipswich crossing the finish line

Also racing at this year’s British Classic Week is a 6mR class ahead of the Class World Championships in the Solent later this summer.  Racing around the cans, Race 1 was won in the 6mR Open Class by Oiva and in the Classic Class by Silvervingen.

All photos: Chris Brown

ENTRY OPEN FOR BRITISH CLASSIC WEEK 2023

British Classic Yacht Club (BCYC) has announced entry is open for its annual British Classic Week regatta in Cowes.  Taking place from 15th to 22nd July this year, the regatta attracts classic sailing and motor yachts from across the UK and Europe.

Criteria for entry to the regatta is IRC classic yachts of 24ft and over or modern classic, Spirit of Tradition yachts of either wood or steel construction.  The regatta also welcomes gaff-rigged yachts to race under the latest OGA ratings.   

This year, British Classic Week will host a 6Metre class comprising national and international entries keen for racing practice ahead of the 6Metre Worlds taking place in the Solent in September.

Cruising yachts and classic motor boats are also invited to join in to watch the racing, explore local waters, and enjoy the social scene.

BCYC Commodore Jonathan Dyke commented, “British Classic Week embodies all the qualities of classic yacht ownership: commitment, camaraderie, and the pure joy of being out on the water.  The pride of ownership shared amongst the fleet is exceptional and we look forward to welcoming old faces and new competitors to Cowes this summer.”

Sailors will take on a six-race series of varied courses, including round-the-cans races and the 30nm Nab Tower Race that takes in the iconic Horse Sand and No Mans Land Forts.  Race management organised by the Royal Yacht Squadron will see beautifully maintained classic yachts battle it out against the historic, picturesque backdrop of the Isle of Wight.

Keen spectators will be able to get close to the action on the water and watch line starts and finishes in front of the famous Royal Yacht Squadron.

The social programme includes the popular welcome reception on the lawn at the iconic Royal Yacht Squadron on Sunday 16th July.  On Tuesday 18th July, regatta guests will have the opportunity to step onboard the yachts during the Open Yachts Pontoon Party (sponsored by Classic Boat with drinks by Hattiers Rum and Dartmouth Gin).  The regatta will finish with a lively prize giving dinner on Friday evening.

This year’s British Classic Week is sponsored by OneSails GBR and Spirit Yachts, with event support from Suffolk Yacht Harbour and traditional chandlery Classic Marine.  The UK’s leading publication on classic and traditional boats, Classic Boat magazine, remains the regatta’s media partner.

ENTER BRITISH CLASSIC WEEK