In its third year the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club’s Vice Admiral’s Cup Regatta, taking place this coming weekend from Saturday 2 to Monday 4 June, continues to attract a high profile entry in its three classes. The simple level racing/first past the post format used in the two big boat classes is now firmly established as a favourite with the competitors who love the simplicity and incredibly close racing the system provides.

In the 50-52′ Class the TP52s are out in force and Charles Dunstone’s Red, Benny Kelly’s Panthera and Colm Barrington’s Flash Glove will line up against the Farr 52s of Andrew Palmer, Bear of Britain, and Peter Harrison, Chernikeef 2. This class will be a real clash of the titans and what it lacks in numbers it will more than make up for in the quality of the racing.

In the 45-46′ Class the Swan 45s and Farr 45s dominate the entry list, but Nick Lutte and his crew aboard DK46 Shockwave will be determined to give them a run for their money. Jerry Otter’s Farr 45 Werewolf is back to defend her title while fellow Farr 45 sailors Robert Lutener and Martin Elwood in Henri Lloyd Cutting Edge, Agne Nilson in Fortis Excel and Shaun Frohlich sailing Exabyte Four will be among those hoping to ensure the trophy remains in Farr 45 hands.

Equally determined to claim the trophy for the Swan 45 class will be Keith Miller in Crackerjack, Glynn Williams’ Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing, Bernard Lambillotte sailing Nemo of Cowes, Mikhail Mouratov’s Murka 2 and Tony Mack and his inimitable McFly crew.

Competition between the Swan 45s is expected to be particularly fierce as this event forms part of the Swan 45 Northern European Circuit and the boats will be racing to the full Swan 45 One Design Rules. They will also be using the event as a warm up for their world championship which takes place in Cowes in early July.

The increasingly popular Quarter Ton revival class will race in the Vice Admiral’s Cup for the second time. This year they will be using the event as a warm up for the Coutts Quarter Ton Cup which takes place the following weekend. The differing design eras of the Quarter Tonners make level racing impractical so they will sail under IRC. Louise Morton and her crew aboard Super Q will be hoping for a reprise of her 2006 VAC victory but she’ll have stiff competition from class stalwarts Tony Dodd in Purple Haze and Graydon Dawson in Diamond. The fleet is also looking forward to welcoming several new owners including Matt Clarke and Tony Thackray, sailing the Fauroux design Lancelot, and Paul Kelsey, who has recently purchased Runaway Bus, designed by Paul Whiting.

The regatta will be sponsored by day sponsors Musto, North Sails UK and Boat Sales International. Racing gets underway in the central Solent at 1030 on Saturday 2 June with eight races scheduled over the three days and social events in the club house each evening.

For further information about the 2007 Vice Admiral’s Cup please contact Louise Morton, Secretary, Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, The Parade, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7QU, e-mail louise@rcyc.co.uk. Telephone: 44 (0)1983 293581.