Cowes Dinghy Week kicked off in Gurnard Bay with a bang on Monday in a fresh westerly and big seas which did not let up for the whole regatta.
Seven classes from fast cats to Picos took part and 7 races for each were planned for the 5 days of the event, and by prize giving time on the Friday evening all the sailors and their boats had the feeling they been given a thorough workout, despite losing Thursday’s action to high winds.
Harry Blowers in the Laser Radials and Commodore Mark Harrison in the RS100s were dominant with strings of first places, but in the other classes it was more closely contested.
Behind Harry in the Radials, there was a close battle for the next 2 places between Brad McLaughlin and Georgia Caws, who finished on equal points. Brad’s bullet in the last race gave him the second place.
In the Shadow cats, race wins were shared between 3 boats with Carl Blenkinsop clinching first overall by a single point with a last race bullet. Paul Tanner was second.
In the Laser 4.7s, a consistent set of results from Sophie Baker of RVYC brought her second place to Ben Symons and also the Morgan Cup for best lady helm.
The RS400s also shared out the first places, with most of them going to the experienced duo of Paul Bowen and Shaun Kellett, but they needed a discard to gain a 3 point lead over Brett Aarons and the rest of the fleet.
In a fast handicap class packed with RS700s, Ben Willows came on strong in his after a retirement in the first race to take a comfortable victory overall.
The slow handicap had 24 entries. Derek Ness won by 2 points from Adam Coventry who capped a successful season by scooping the John Davies Trophy for best Gurnard junior skipper.
Principal Race Officer Steve Cole handled the sailing aspects throughout with his usual aplomb, and when racing was over the evenings were given over as usual to a supporting programme of social events and excellent kitchen fare, with the whole event being driven along by a strong band of club volunteers and flag officers.
The prizegiving had an Olympic theme which included medals for the victors – although possibly not solid gold or silver in these hard times!
In closing out proceedings after the prizegiving, Vice Commodore Mark Southwell expressed heartfelt thanks to the whole volunteer team and to Messrs Marine Ware, Happy Daze, Fastnet Insurance and Chart Art for their contributions to making the event a success.
Also, the club is most grateful to Messrs. LDC for filling a gap in the sponsorship arrangements by topping up the prize inventory at short notice.
Results
Cat handicap
- Dougie Wright/Adam Kay(F18)
- Chris Murphy(Spitfire)
Shadows
- Carl Blenkinsop
- Paul Tanner
- Mike Martin
Fast handicap
- Ben Willows
- Bob Preston
- Keith Hayden (all RS700)
RS400
- Paul Bowen/Shaun Kellett
- Brett Aarons/Robbie Southwell
- Graham Deegan/Judith French
Medium Handicap
- Mark Robinson(Contender)
- George Downer(Laser)
- Colin Campbell(Laser)
RS100
- Mark Harrison
- Giles Peckham
- Chris Gillies
Laser Radial
- Harry Blowers
- Brad McLoughlin
- Georgia Caws
Laser 4.7
- Ben Symons
- Sophie Baker (RVYC)
- Harry Carter
Slow Handicap
- Derek Ness
- Adam Coventry
- Ted Blowers/Harrison McCarthy
- Simon & Alice Bean
- John Davies Trophy for under-18: Adam Coventry
- Henry Symons Trophy for parent/child: Simon & Alice Bean
- Morgan Ladies Cup: Sophie Baker (RVYC)
- Moores Brothers Trophy for Endeavour: Fred & Archie Battison
- Yachts and Yachting Trophy for best performance: Harry Blowers
