Day two of the inaugural Westward Cup Regatta saw an exhilarating showdown between the big class yachts. The crowds which gathered at Solent waters were thrilled by an incredibly tense finish, which saw the Herreshoff-designed Mariette seize line honours – completing the 38nm course in 4h 10mins, just ahead of Tuiga then Mariquita.

Eleonora, who had suffered damage to both masts earlier in the week – see YW Gallery – finished 23 seconds behind the third placed yacht with a time of 4h 29mins and 45s.

Mariette’s owner Charles Wroe was quick to pay tribute to the crew of Eleonora after docking this afternoon praising the yacht’s owner for continuing to put up a fine battle on the race course, in spite of Eleonora losing her top masts on Sunday and having to race with about two-thirds less than her usual sail plan. “Eleonora is doing surprisingly well considering everything and hats off to the owner”, commented Mr. Wroe.

When asked how the racing went today, Charles Wroe went on to say that happily today’s conditions had favored Mariette and that they had picked up a good 20-knot breeze at the start. “We were hoping to do well and certainly the guys at the back of the boat made some nice calls and I’m really happy with the crew work”.

Built in 1915, the 42.06m (138ft) Mariette was originally designed by Nathanael Greene for J Frederick Brown, a successful wool merchant in Boston who raced her along the North and South Boston coastlines from 1916 to 1927. She was later bought by Francis K Crowninshield who renamed her ‘Cleopatra’s Barge’. However after being requisitioned by the American Navy she fell into a state of disrepair.  

Thomas Perkins from San Francisco is credited with resurrecting Mariette and restoring her to her present glorious Gaff rigged specification. She is now a regular and successful competitor in classic events all over the world.

To see Yachting World’s pictures from the regatta, CLICK HERE.

Today (Thursday 8 July) is a lay day. Racing commences tomorrow with the final day of racing on Saturday.

Today’s results and all further details are available on the Royal Yacht Squadron’s website at www.rys.org.uk