Courrier du Coeur lifts the Channel Challenge Cup

The RORC 2006 Channel Race started from the RYS line at 08:00 under clear skies and a very light and variable breeze.

As the gun went the fleet of 23 yachts drifted on the tide across the line with spinnakers hardly filling. All except Act of Defiance, Paul Davis & William Collins Hustler SJ35 (sailing 2 handed) who had had difficulty getting to the correct side during the starting sequence due to the strong tide and light breeze. With the rest of the fleet descending on them they had no where to go except with the flow. Once in enough space they turned and fought their way back to start correctly at 08:31.

Light and variable was not the way the race would continue. By the time the fleet had reached the Needles a thunder storm had appeared from the west causing severe squalls and lasting for 20 – 30 minutes with winds in excess of 40kts, heavy rain and thunder and lightning. A crewmember aboard Nightlife, Tom Sperrey’s Sigma 41, remarked that the rain was “Fat”. A number of the yachts were forced to retire at this point with blown sails and damaged gear. Fortunately no one was hurt and all were able to self assist.

After the excitement of the Needles the fleet continued west to the East Shambles Buoy where they turned to head for the RORC Offshore Buoy in the Channel, rounding the south of the island to Owers Buoy. Heading inshore the fleet rounded Rustington Buoy for the return to Owers and off to the finish at Royal Albert off Gilkicker, a distance of approximately 154 miles.

First to the finish was J P Comette’s Nacira 60 Solune at 01:14:13 which had revelled in the conditions, followed at 05:54:57 by Courrier du Coeur, Gery Trentesaux’s First 44.7. The time difference would not be enough for Solune, but the reducing breeze and foul tides behind Courrier du Coeur would be for Gery Trentesaux to lift the Channel Challenge Cup.

A number of the yachts found the light airs of Sunday morning and the strong foul tides too much and decided to retire from the race for an early bath.

Prize Winners:

Channel Challenge Cup – BCT IRC Courrier du Coeur Gery Trentesaux
Hugh Astor Trophy – 1st Boat Home Solune J P Chomette
Stetson Plate – IRC Zero Courrier du Coeur Gery Trentesaux
Royal Albert Yacht Club Trophy – IRC 1 Magnum 2 Andrew Pearce
2nd Puma Logic Sailing Logic Philippe Falle
3rd Meta Baron Shaun Hurst / Patrick Fitzgibbon
Royal Albert Yacht Club Trophy – IRC 2 Pen Azen Philippe Delaporte
Royal Albert Yacht Club Trophy – IRC 3 Boatez Coat Yves Dervieux
Assegai Bowl – BCT IRM Hooligan V Edward Broadway
2 Handed Division Slingshot Shaun Murphy

Prizegiving to be held on Wednesday 2nd August at the RORC Member’s Cocktail Party at the Royal Yacht Squadron at 18:30 (Blazer and tie will be required)