THE 2021 iteration of Cowes Week was once again a resounding success, delivering a diverse mix of racing, with as many as 40 races per day across 30 classes.
Among the trophy winners this year was a throng of daring Island sailors.
Jo Richards’ H-Boat Woof, racing in IRC Class 7, was crowned overall winner of Black Group.
It was his first Black Group win in more than a decade, since sailing modified 1720, Full Pelt.
He said: “We’re a bunch of people who have sailed together for many years and also enjoy being sociable.
“This year after racing it has felt more like Cowes Weeks of old, and more geared to the needs of sailors. I like that.”
Peter Morton’s GP42 The Jean Genie likewise enjoyed a successful regatta, with victory in IRC Class 0.
He also won two of Cowes Week’s most prestigious and historic trophies — the Britannia Cup and the New York Yacht Club Challenge Cup.
“Despite the challenges of this very unusual year, we’ve had a brilliant week’s racing,” said regatta director Laurence Mead.
“I think everyone has had some great times on the water and being able to see old friends again made it just like the old days.”
The Cuvée 450 Solent Team Trophy — a new prize this year for clubs entering teams of three boats — was also challenged for.
The Royal London Yacht club’s team of two Darings, Giles Peckham’s Dauntless and Sir Richard Ottaway’s Debutante, plus Islander Peter Dickson’s First 25.7 Star-Born 4 in Performance Cruiser Division C, established a clear lead by mid-week that was never challenged.
Louise Morton, sailing Quarter Tonner Bullet, very nearly won the Ariel Trophy for Best Female Helm, and nonetheless picked up the trophy for best all-female crew.
Three classes — HP30, J/109 and Performance Cruiser C — finished the week with leaders tied on eight points, and it was Glyn Locke’s Toucan which prevailed in the tie-break for the HP30 fleet.
Other classes with very tight racing included the IRC Class 2, where Islander David Franks’ Leon challenged JPK1080 Yes! and Jooped.
Third place in the final race for Leon was enough to win the series one point ahead of both.
In contrast to the ultra-modern design of the Cape 31s class, a traditionally built wooden boat won the Dragon class for the first time in decades.
Bluebottle, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh’s former boat, raced for the first time in 60 years after a comprehensive restoration by Cowes boat builder David Heritage.
Raced by Graham and Julia Bailey, with Heritage also on board, Bluebottle won her first three races, discarded fourth on Tuesday, then finished with a pair of second places to win the class with a day to spare.
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