Press Release - 2nd Jun 2010

REGATTA REPORT

The Combined Yacht Clubs of Poole sailed away with another successful International Paints Regatta last weekend. They were delighted that “Toe in the Water” agreed to join forces with them this year. Co-funded by Help for Heroes they are a tri-service initiative which aims to involve injured servicemen in competitive sailing as part of their rehabilitation and they will benefit from a share of the entry proceeds.

Over 140 boats, ranging from the tiny Paralympic 2.4m class up to the large IRC Class 1 yachts, enjoyed thee days of racing in Poole Harbour and Bay. Those sailing included Olympic yachtsmen Stuart Jardine, Peter Allam and Hugh Styles.

Saturday started fast and furious with a forecast Force 5 that rapidly increased to Force 6 gusting 7 which provided testing conditions for all 14 fleets. Despite one helicopter rescue and another competitor being taken to hospital having been transferred in one of the club RIBs to the Royal Motor Yacht Club, there were still 18 races completed before the weather drove everyone ashore.

Sunday dawned brighter and the competitors enjoyed 46 races across the fleets. Racing was keenly fought as thousands of pounds worth of International Paints vouchers were at stake. However, although conditions were much better for racing there were still a few casualties including a dismasting and broken rudder. Thanks go to the RNLI who duly assisted with the return of these boats to harbour. The local sailmakers have also had a very profitable weekend trying to keep up with running repairs. By the end of Sunday, a pattern was beginning to emerge, with local sailors heading the leader boards in most of the fleets.

The three IRC classes had Jim Macgregor, Sam Pearson and Alan Bennett holding the lead respectively as was Chris Hawkes in the PHHS class. Duncan McCarthy was in control of the J24 Spring Cup which was also a Worlds Qualifier for the class and the Wessex Quarter Ton Championship was being led by Willie McNeil. Peter Fontes had a commanding lead in the Shrimper Southern Area Championships and Owain Peters was leading the Sonata class. The Mocra and Sigma 38 classes had decided to designate the regatta as their Nationals and local Phil Cotton in the Multihulls and visiting Sigma skipper Chris Choules had merely to consolidate their positions to become National Champions on the last day of sailing. Meanwhile, the Flying Fifteen and XOD fleets had decided to finish their series on the Sunday. Barney Sandeman missed one of the races but still brought home the trophy with three first places. Chris Gorringe had comfortably won the Fifteen series but still fancied more sailing so joined the crew of one of the IRC cruisers on Monday.

Competitors awoke on Monday to a total contrast with warm sunshine and very little wind. The Redwings and 2.4m classes completed their series in the harbour with sufficient breeze. Ian Stowe from Grafham became 2.4m Tidal Water champion and Redwing Kestrel (Nick Holland) won their series with a consistent performance with a third as a discard.

The classes racing in the Bay struggled with shifty light winds but all the class leaders from Sunday evening demonstrated their ability to master all conditions to confirm their domination of their fleets. Sam Pearson, incidentally the youngest helm in the regatta at 22, had to be sure to take first place in both Monday races in his class to snatch the International Paints 2010 Keelboat Regatta Overall Trophy from previous twice times winner Peter Rutter in Quokka. As usual, the regatta ended with a close battle but Rutter’s second place in race 7 and Pearson’s double first confirmed his position as the new overall champion.

The organisers are deeply indebted to all those who supported the event including the many prize sponsors and the army of 100 volunteers who made the whole thing possible. They look forward to meeting everyone again for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Weekend 2-4 June 2012 and are pleased to announce that International Paints have agreed to be title sponsors for the Olympic year.