Skandia Cowes Week came to a close today with perfect ‘last day’ conditions for some fleets, but frustratingly light breezes for others.

The wind built, as forecast, from 5 to 13 knots, as the day developed providing most competitors with short, sharp, sunny courses to end the Week. The only problem was in the eastern Solent where the light winds refused to let the south-west breeze become established. After moving progressively west to find the wind, the Committee Boat was finally moved to the Bramble Bank after the RYS line sequence had finished, and they too got off to some fine racing.

Today was also Dave Atkinson’s last day after four years as Principle Race Officer for the Island Sailing Club and Royal Southern Yacht Club. He commented: “It was good to send the competitors home happy. We felt that the CCC computer and race control systems worked better than ever this year, and this all helps to give competitors good racing in varied, but tricky conditions”.

The final event of this year’s Skandia Cowes Week is the prizegiving ceremoney which will start at 20h00 and will be held on the parade.