FRIDAY 25TH JULY 2008

Two races for each class varied in course from windward/leeward to a downwind gate that split the fleet almost equally – comments afterwards were enthusiastic. All week there was a variety of fixed and laid marks, which kept it interesting as well. The Easterlies have disappeared – today we were back to a prevailing south westerly, up to 15 knots. It’s been a great week. Tonight is the Prizegiving Dinner. The night before had over 300 people at the Olympic Centenary Dinner, a great turnout.

THURSDAY 24th JULY 2008

The Centenary regatta of the 1908 Olympics organised by the Royal Victoria Yacht Club took place today at noon following the same course off Ryde after a feeder race from Cowes. The keelboats and the 6 and 8 metres were a fine sight in the continuing good weather with a brisk 15 knot easterly making conditions rather more challenging with a few boats retiring. The BCYC Classics were close by, and Goran Petersson, President of ISAF commented that there was good water and fine racing. It was great to see these historic boats together.

WEDNESDAY 23rd JULY 2008

There is an indescribable light that sometimes comes to the Solent during a summer high. It rivals the Mediterranean in clarity and colour, and in this setting the magnificent early 20th century boats designed by William Fife III set full billowing sail on enormous booms and gaffs. Mariquita the Lady Anne, Tuiga, names from the past - and the magnificent Nat Herreshoff schooner Mariette from across the Atlantic. It was a scene from sepia historical photos, but in full iridescent colour. Meanwhile the Sunbeams, redwings and X Boats created a lively, graceful pageant of their own, full of action, and nearby the Darings and 6 metres were fighting for places as well - the latter class growing in numbers in the Solent. Winds were east to sou’ sou’ east 10 knots, a reception was held after racing courtesy of the Kendall’s Art Gallery & Swordsman Charter, followed by a barbeque at the Royal London Yacht Club.

TUESDAY 22ND JULY 2008

Cowes Classic Week could hardly have got off to a better start: a breeze built from 3 knots south westerly to about 12-14 by the end of racing, there were good turn outs in all classes, and the forecast was for a week of sunshine after a mixed summer. The Race Officials delayed the start by one and a half hours to allow the wind to build, and all classes finished 2 races each, the 6 Metres starting their first race at 1205 and starting the second by 1435 after a quick turnaround. There was some good rivalry around the buoys a lot of good racing, and despite one pending protest a lot of happy faces.

A reception at the Classic Boat Museum in East Cowes, sponsored by Haines Boat Yard of Itchenor was a chance to mingle and discuss the days events.

Reports by Kathy Mansfield - Photographer & Writer www.kathymansfieldphotos.com