Almost inevitably, the weather interfered with the three-day Cowes Keelboat Regatta organised, as usual, by the Island Sailing Club over the Bank Holiday weekend.
On the Saturday, race officer Mike Peskett set the three fleets away on a beat in a reasonable easterly breeze. After the windward mark, there was a tricky reach before the wind died and all classes were finished at Gurnard Buoy. Thirteen Darings started and the lead changed hands twice between Finesse and Darius, with the latter winning. After a disastrous start, Dauntless managed to get up to take the third gun. The three Dragons had a shorter course with Jerboa getting the better of Supremacy with Cavalier third. The XOD race, with two starters, was a procession with X76 beating Curlew by almost ten minutes.
The starts on Sunday were delayed by more than two hours by the lack of wind, but a short windward/leeward course on the Shrape was eventually set. Unfortunately, only one Dragon (Jerboa) and one XOD (Curlew) came to the line so, although they both sailed the designated course, their races will not count. Nine Darings had an interesting race with positions changing throughout. Double Knot was the winner with Decoy second and Decanter third.
Monday’s start was also delayed by lack of wind, but starts were made in difficult tidal conditions some two hours after the scheduled start time. Courses were identical to the previous day and of the two Dragons, Supremacy lived up to her name beating Cavalier by more than three minutes. Of the twelve Darings, Dauntless made the best start and eventually won by more than five minutes on a race lasting about an hour with Decoy second and Dynamite third. Two XODs were in the starting area, but only one (X76) managed to cross the start line so sailed over.
The three Daring races comprised the John Dibben Memorial Cup competition, which was won by Giles Peckham in Dauntless (with 8 points) followed by Darius (17) and Decanter (21).
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