World and Olympic Champion Pete Newlands showed why he has been 12 years in the British Olympic squad to take both Class 1 and overall prizes in the second edition of this annual Petit Bateau solo round the Isle of Wight race. Anticipation, his Beneteau 40.7 working steadily through the fleet took line honours in what was yet another light airs race. Class 2 (35 feet) was won by Simon Curwen in Voador, J105. Peter Olden’s J92 Solan Goose took first in class 3 ( 30 feet) Simon Forbes Scooby III , Dragonfly 800, was the sole finisher in the Multihull class, as was Fabian Baetz, Pogo 2, Blue Gin in Classe Mini. Of the 31 starters 23 finished.

The forecast for this years race was promising with a suggestion of afternoon sea breezes but the day produced light conditions with some frustrating periods on the south of the Island as the sea breeze failed to materialise and served only to stifle the gradient wind.

The late afternoon saw a significant reduction in wind strength and following a forecast of only 5Kts for the Chichester area the Race Officer Charles Allen made the only sensible decision and shortened course to Bembridge Ledge buoy. Anticipation was first mono home, crossing the line at 17.32.53 ahead of Catriona (1 minute 21secs) and then Voador only 31seconds later.

The prize presentation and the race supper took place at the Island Sailing Club in Cowes, where overall winner Peter Newlands was presented with a Spinlock Deck vest, a generous award made by James Hall, Marketing Director of Spinlock UK.

Petit Bateau’s next solo offshore event is the PB 2007 which starts in Mylor( Falmouth ) on July 17th and visits Kinsale, Baltimore, Fastnet and Dingle before returning to Mylor via the Bishop rock, 5 easy stages and 600 miles.

The full results can be found at www.petitbateau.org.uk/www.petitbateau.org.uk>

Picture courtesy Mark Lamble