Despite a frustrated start, due to lack of wind, which postponed the inshore race until after 2pm there were 51 yachts on the start line of the fourth day of the British Classic Yacht Club’s 2018 Cowes regatta. This was the inshore race, often contested well into the shallows against the tide, pitting a navigator’s confidence against a skipper or owner’s nervousness as the depth reduces under the keel to make the best of “tidal shadow” – while in deeper water yachts sag away on the current, especially in light airs.
And there were light airs today, with the race announced while there was just three to four knots of wind in the basin where the fleet were gathered in front of the harbourmaster’s office. The race officers at the Royal Yacht Squadron had confidence though, and so it proved, with a building breeze that was enough to create a fast start to windward on the ENE breeze as the fleet headed out to the east from the Squadron line.
Cowes Yacht Haven with the BCYC fleet berthed waiting for a breeze
Here at Classic Sailor we were playing with a drone and will bring a full report using its footage shortly. Meanwhile the results of today were as follows:
1st Flight of Ufford; 2nd Cetawayo; 3rd Firebrand; 4th Whooper; 5th Oui Fling
The week is part of the Panerai Classic Yacht Challenge: britishclassicyachtclub.org
Main photo shows the start with the “B” of the bang seen before it was heard – as a puff of smoke left the starter canon by the old stone apron of the Squadron’s castle wall – built by Henry VIII in 1539.