Cowes July 21 – Up bright and early for the 9 AM scheduled start time of their long inshore race, competitors at the 2011 Panerai British Classic Week in Cowes were greeted by the best breezes of the regatta so far when they arrived at the dock this morning.

Whilst the crews busied in the marina themselves preparing their classic yachts for the day’s racing, immediately adjacent to them on the shore, the owners of 60 classic cars taking part in the Historic Endurance Rallying Organisation (HERO) Summer Trial were readying their machines for a time trial around the Isle of Wight. As the fleet of classic yachts glided serenely out of the marina, simultaneously and in stark contrast, with much revving of engines and squealing of tyres, the spectacular collection of vintage motor cars made a much noisier and more exuberant exit for their day of competition. Joining the vintage cars for the day was a Royal Marine Land Rover representing the Royal Navy & Royal Marine’s Charity, to which the HERO members had earlier generously donated a cheque for £1000.

Out on the Solent racing got underway in a solid 10 knots of breeze, giving the whole fleet, and the larger yachts in particular, a chance to stretch their legs. In Class 1 it was Stephen Jone’s self designed modern classic ‘Meteor’ which reveled in the conditions and secured a comfortable race win. Racing in Class 2 saw John Lister’s 1937 12 Metre ‘Wings’ cruise to victory, whilst Sir Michael Briggs’s 1904 ‘Mikado’ continued her dominance of Class 3, notching up her third consecutive win of the regatta so far. In turn, Class 4 was won comfortably by David Myatt’s 1948 ‘Maguerite’, her second victory of the week.

The final day of racing on Friday has just one race officially scheduled, but if conditions allow, the Race Committee will no doubt be keen to catch up with the race lost due to light winds on Tuesday. Accordingly the final day start time has been brought forward to 10.30 AM. With the points situation close in several of the classes, Friday will offer the final chance of glory for those with aspirations of lifting their overall class trophies.

Full results are available online at:
http://www.britishclassicyachtclub.org/regatta/index.html