Cowes Dinghy Week 2001 at Gurnard Sailing Club Overall

by Mike Martin 7 Aug 2001 08:45 BST

Cowes Dinghy Week 2001 breaks new records

Hosted by Gurnard Sailing Club on the Isle of Wight, Cowes Dinghy Week, this year sponsored by Southern Water and King of Shaves, drew to a close on the Friday before Cowes Week (3 August) after a splendid week of sailing. With the largest ever entry list of more than 160 boats, the event was advertised on the Internet and attracted visitors from all over the UK, as well as from most dinghy clubs on the Island.

One entry in the Laser class was Ian Pavey, now from Perth, Western Australia, who moved from the Island 20 years ago. “I’m well impressed with the new clubhouse, and its great to find Dinghy Week still going strong – I have enjoyed every minute” he said.

Organised under the chairmanship of Paul Airey and his teams of hard working volunteers, the week was voted a success by the competitors, and unusually was blessed throughout with never less than a good sailing breeze. In most classes the competition was keen, with the final result in doubt until the final day.

The Dart 15 class was particularly close, with Laurie Gustar and Bob Milton equal on points going into Friday’s race. Laurie took his chances and found good boatspeed in the easing conditions to win the final race and take the overall trophy. The David Penfold Memorial Trophy for Dart 15s was won by the pro-am pairing of Chris Hobday and Roger Bone.

The RS400s, with a star-studded entry list and enough boats for a class start for the first time, produced another battle royal, with Paul Bowen and Jo Richards tied on points by Thursday and all to play for. The series was clinched by Bowen and Sean Kellett with a win on the final day.

The medium handicap seemed to be going the way of the RS200s of Graham Caws and Mark Harrison, but a pair of bullets from the Merlin of visitor Andy Warren put him equal with Caws on points, just one behind Harrison. Warren was awarded second place overall on the number of first places achieved. The Lasers were racing for the top prize of a week’s sailing holiday in Grenada, provided by event sponsor King of Shaves. Island Games Silver Medallist Trevor Scovell laid the foundations of a solid series win with 3 wins, although a strong finish by Giles Peckham brought him equal on points to second place.

The top sailors in the morning Optimist class Emily Rowlandson and John Russell of Yarmouth were using the week as a warm-up for their National Championship, for which they departed on Friday. An active day’s sailing every day was rounded off by suppers in the clubhouse and live entertainment until late, before the practised teams of volunteers in the bar, kitchen, race box and rescue boats made all ship-shape and ready for the next day.

The prizes were distributed on Friday evening by Shirley Robertson, the Olympic gold medallist who is now married and lives on the Island.

“It’s great to see the keenness of the sailors here, and the large number of juniors taking part” she said, and hoped to be taking part in the racing next year.

Overall Results:

Optimist: