BNP Paribas Classic: A repeat victory, after 31 years, for Super Q

BNP Paribas Classic race start © Simon Ropert

One of the oldest competing yachts took overall victory in this year's BNP Paribas Classic race from Jersey to Guernsey, repeating a victory she last achieved 31 years ago.

Julian Barber's Farr 727 Super Q, launched in 1977, was actually the last of the 16 yachts to cross the St Peter Port finish line but, thanks to a skillful race strategy by her skipper and crew, she claimed first place on handicap.

'We were very surprised,' said Jersey sailor Julian, who with crew members Helen Barker and Jason Manning only learnt of their success at the evening prizegiving ceremony at Guernsey Yacht Club.

'We thought that some of the faster boats would beat us,' added Julian, who would have raced his other yacht, Chez Moi, had she not had a steering problem. "In the end two of the oldest boats in the race came first and second.'

That second place went to another Jersey yacht, Peter Crabb's 1985 X95, Paper Tiger, while third place went to the first Guernsey boat home, Simon Hughes' Son of a Gun.

Son of a Gun during the BNP Paribas Classic - photo © Simon Ropert

It was back in 1987 that Super Q had won the same event, then known as the Borsalino Race, with Dave Sharp at the helm. First run in 1978, the event was recently revived and invigorated with support from BNP Paribas.

In very light winds the 40-mile event became a real test of seamanship with tidal conditions playing a major role.

'The tide was certainly a very significant factor,' said Ian Moisan, a member of St Helier Yacht Club's Sailing Committee, the race organisers. 'At one point if you tacked one way you did one knot and if you tacked the other way you did six!

'Yachts that stayed close to Jersey's north coast lost out while those that headed further north did better.' The lead pack of larger yachts opted to go south of Sark while the rest of the fleet chose the northern route to gain the favourable tide between Sark and Herm.

First to cross the finish line was Guernsey yacht Kaya (ultimately 4th on handicap) with Son of a Gun second over the line just under nine minutes later. By contrast, Super Q crossed the line one hour and 23 minutes after Kaya.

Four yachts did not finish, failing to meet the time cut-off after losing a battle with the tide in the final stages.

Marie-Martine Myatt, the wife of BNP Paribas' CI Country Head David Myatt (who came fifth in his yacht Erica), presented the prizes.

Overall Results:

1, Super Q
2, Paper Tiger
3, Sun of a Gun (Guernsey)
4, Kaya (G)
5, Erica
6, The Dog's...!
7, Jenna B
8, Arctic Tern
9, Crumpet
10, Lady Penelope
11, Majic (G)
12, Morrina IV
13, Abracadabra
14, Mr Scarecrow (G)
15, Olli (G)
16, Zanzibar
DNF: Sombrero, Grace, Mystique of Jersey and Ficelle

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