The newly revived Quarter Ton Cup, hosted by the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, gets underway today off Cowes with the added benefit of sponsorship from Red Funnel who have stepped in at the last minute to support the event.

A total of 14 teams have registered for the regatta with crews from France, Ireland and the UK competing. Among the boats entered are Purple Haze, Dina-Mite, Super Q, Diamond and former Quarter Ton Cup winners 45 South (1975) and Manzanita (1973).

The regatta has attracted an interesting mix of crews ranging from the youngest team skippered by James Blackburn aboard Quartet to what has to be one of the most experienced teams in the regatta headed by Ron Holland and incorporating Irish sailing legends Joxer O’Brien, Killian Bushe and Neil Kenefick aboard the Ron Holland-designed Manzanita.

The furthest travelled team is that of France’s Laurent Beaurin who have made the trip from La Trinite with 45 South. Laurent’s sailing CV includes five Tour de France including a win in 1986 plus four Figaro Solo campaigns and he and his crew have high hopes of bringing 45 South her second Quarter Ton Cup title.

Other well known names racing in the regatta include Tom Richardson of Elephant Boat Yard fame in Quartet, Stephen Bailey and his Arbitrator crew, Peter Morton back racing Super Q and Tony Dodd with Purple Haze.

Racing gets underway this morning and runs through until Friday over a variety of Solent courses.