Cowes Dinghy Week at Gurnard Sailing Club

Cowes Dinghy Week 2005 ran from 24 to 29 July in Gurnard Bay, organised by Caroline Stevens and her team at Gurnard Sailing Club. There was another record entry of 200+ boats for this popular annual open event, generously sponsored currently by K & D Island Property Management, with entrants from as far afield as Scotland and East Anglia.

Throughout the week there was a mixed bag of weather from raining force 6 through to sunny force 2 with wind from all points of the compass, which gave some headaches to Race Officer Brian Cole but produced some keen racing.

The mornings were devoted to junior novices, looked after by Sheila Caws and Mark Harrison and with strong entries from local clubs Royal Victoria Y. C. and Yarmouth S. C. One of the downsides to winning this category is that the victors will not be eligible for next year. Robbie Southwell and Jack Davies did well in the early stages, and therefore could be due to join the big boys soon.

The afternoon racing for 11 classes and handicap fleets ranging from fast cats to Picos kicked off on Sunday in a good strong breeze against the tide, which gave the safety boats plenty of exercise and some hairy waveriding for the sailors.

By contrast, the wind gave up with a gasp on Tuesday, putting many boats out of time over the long courses. Blame for the lack of wind was placed squarely but somewhat unfairly on the long-suffering Brian Cole, who was forced to wear the Dreaded Purple Wig for a day as punishment.

In promising positions after 3 days racing were Pete Newlands in RS200s, Robin Leather in the Darts, Kyle Grant in the Laser 4.7s, Jane Peckham in the Lasers and Henry Bagnall in his new Finn in the medium handicap.

However, there were no clear leaders in other classes and as we all know many a series has been won by consistency rather than flashes of brilliance.

The evening social events are an integral part of the week and were enthusiastically attended throughout.

On the final Friday, competitors awoke to bright sun and a force 4 south-westerly on a flood tide – designer-perfect conditions for this part of the Solent – and a splendid day was had by all to finish a great week’s sailing.

The Yachts and Yachting Trophy for Best Performance was won by Henry Bagnall in his Finn, with a string of bullets.

The prizes were presented by club member Shirley Robertson and Ben Ainslie, who lent a touch of Olympic gold to the proceedings before taking part in that other Cowes regatta in the first week of August.

In true Cowes fashion, the week ended with a firework display and a vote of thanks to all the volunteers and of course the sailors who continue to ensure the success of this most friendly event.

Overall Results:

Big cats
1 Dougie Wright/Ian Lawrie
2 Matt Byham/Rob Steer
3 Sarah & Adam Younger

Dart 15
1 Robin Leather
2 Laurie Gustar
3 Ed Low

RS400
1 Graham Deegan/Judith French
2 James Downer/Jess Olden
3 Rick & Joe Newnham

Fast
1 Joe Richards/Sue Johnson
2 Barry Byham/John Hayden
3 Keith Hayden

RS200
1 Pete Newlands/Leanne Walsh
2 Mark Harrison/Tom Kirkpatrick
3 Tom Olden/Jonathan Price

Laser
1 Jane Peckham
2 Giles Peckham
3 Andrew Pease

Laser Radial
1 Chris Gibson
2 Will Robinson
3 Laura Mead

Medium Handicap
1 Henry Bagnall (Finn)
2 Derek & Steve Moret (Albacore)
3 Ian Stow (Europe)

Laser 4.7
1 Kyle Grant
2 Ed Rowlandson
3 Marianne Brett

Pico Race
1 Chris Gill
2 Sarah Moulder
3 Alex Locke

Slow Handicap
1 Derek & Eleanor Ness
2 Alex Thorn/Paul Pfitzer
3 Anne Sceales/Lyndsey Noakes

Yachts & Yachting Trophy for Best Overall
Henry Bagnall