While the Redwings have been at Cowes (and many congratulations to Quail, helmed by Ed Peel & Jockey Wilson who not only won the white group, but with 5 wins, was the most prolific winner overall), the One-Designs were racing at Bembridge. Although sadly the forecast for Friday & Saturday put paid to the Club’s Dinghy Regatta, seven One-Designs had two excellent races on Friday morning for the Spouses Trophy; the fact that disappointingly there was only one boat that actually qualified meant that provided they finished both races then the Ross’s in No 11 were bound to win!

Starting at Fitzwilliam with Under Tyne as the first mark, it was not long before Mark Grzegorczyk in No 9 ably crewed by Isabel Gilbey was out in front having tacked very soon after the start.

Youtube Start of the first race

Susie Beart in No 5, having started on port, was second to round with John Suffield in No 4 third. Positions that did not change despite a long reach to Derrick and a challenging beat in the F5 SSW to the finish at Drum. The second race saw a pretty good start with Mark in No 9 making it look easy as he led the way to an inflatable windward mark.

Sophie Ross in No 11 led the chasing fleet ahead of Charles Abel Smith in No 7 and D Orange in No 12. It was then a run to Derrick and another challenging beat back to the inflatable windward mark; No 9 remained in front but No 12 moved up to second and No 5 into third as they headed off to Janson with a final beat to Under Tyne. Despite splitting tacks in the hopes of making up lost ground, the back four had to be content with battling amongst themselves not to come last! No 11 was fourth which secured them the Spouses Trophy.

There was still a good F4/F5 SSW’erly breeze on Saturday afternoon so it was agreed that the nine One-Designs racing for the annual Cartwright Prize (two bottles of Champagne) would stick with their storm sails. Undoubtedly a good decision as even then they were over powered at times in the gusts. The Cartwright Prize requires an ‘Olympic Course’, so after starting at Janson they had to sail a triangle, sausage and a triangle (Special Course 1) with Garland as the windward mark, Under Tyne as the wing mark and Janson as the leeward mark. After a pretty tight start, the fleet split with five boats staying on starboard and four tacking quite quickly onto port.

Youtube Start of Saturday’s Cartwright Prize

Carrying on from where they left off the day before, Mark Grzegorczyk & Isabel Gilbey in No 9 powered into the lead and were well ahead at Garland; Hugh Doherty with Jos Coad in No 10 were just second after they crash tacked onto starboard in front of Susie & Syd Beart in No 5 close to the mark.

Youtube At Garland first time round (taken by Crispin Kenyon)

No 9 was still ahead after the first triangle however tacked onto starboard fairly quickly and headed in towards the Bembridge shore; Susie meanwhile remained on port towards St Helens Fort and when they next met as they closed on Garland for the second time, No 5 was in the lead; Alexander & Sophie Ross in No 11 had moved up to third, the Summerhay’s in No 1 were fourth with Hugh & Jos in No 10 dropping to fifth. No 5 followed the same tactics for the third round and the extra short beat to the laid finish line, crossing the line a minute ahead of No 1 who rightly held their ground as No 10 again came in on port tack to try to pip them on the line! No 9 was fourth after a close race with No 11. Charles Abel Smith with Dominic Powell in No 6 had a close battle with Sarah Marshall & Giles Preston in No 7 and D Orange & William Bland in No 12.

An excellent afternoon’s racing; congratulations to Susie & Syd Beart who won this year’s Cartwright prize. Post Race Afternote: having reviewed the video clip of the ‘incident’ between No 10 & No 5 at Garland on the first round, Hugh Doherty (No 10) has fallen on his sword and retired!

Click Here for Spouses Match Results

Click Here for Cartwright Prize Results

Sunday’s racing was at Seaview in the SVYC Regatta. However, after a wet and windy start to the day, sadly only two One-Designs made it; No 1 crewed by Pete Summerhayes and helmed by his daughter Catherine, and No 9 helmed by Russ Fowler supported by Simon Allocca. Both boats managed the downwind start easily enough, with Team Summerhayes reaching the first mark in front. Russ and Simon made an early inshore tack in an attempt to close the gap but the unfamiliar buoys caused some confusion and No 1 enjoyed a comfortable victory in the breezy conditions.  Although it was quite a short race, there were no grumbles as it was gusting F7 by the time they got back to the Under Tyne moorings.

With a bit less wind forecast for the second day of the Regatta tomorrow, hopefully there will be a few Redwings and more One-Designs racing.

 Click Here for Additional photos taken by Mike Samuelson