Hairy conditions on Thursday of Cowes Week which was also the third day of
the XOD Centenary regatta. We’re aboard XOD Class Captain William Norris’s
Beatrix with Vernon Nock (64) in the front of the boat and International
Foiling Moth sailor (!) Peter Barton on the helm. William couldn’t be aboard
that day because he was on the Royal Yacht Squadron Platform with the
Princess Royal who fired the starting cannon for this special race. In his
place was Yachting World editor David Glenn. Unfortunately Beatrix was OCS
which was apparently made clear to William Norris by the Princess Royal as
the sail numbers were duly called out. We hope he didn’t lay the blame too
firmly at YW’s doorstep! Despite the hiccup it was a truly great day’s
racing followed by a superb Centenary dinner party for 400 back in Cowes.