De Guingand Bowl Race

Organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club in association with the Royal Yacht Squadron

START: Saturday 17th May from the RYS Cowes, to the West.
Course - DZB, Needles fairway light buoy, RORC, Ocean safety, Nab tower, Finish- On deck Gilkicker. (Distance - 161 miles)

This year’s De Guingand Bowl race was won by the Volvo RYA Keelboat Programme’s TP52, John Merricks II. Skipper, Ian Walker, was highly impressed with the attitude and work ethos of the young crew.

“This is the second time I have sailed with the team and I am really impressed with the atmosphere on board, there are no pre-madonnas. The emphasis is on learning and the RORC set a course which was ideal for that purpose. We used just about every sail on the boat and did just about every manoeuvre. The crew was bolstered by the highly experienced Freddie Shanks on the bow and the crew learnt a huge amount from him during the race. Obviously, we are delighted to have won the race and perhaps the tidal gate at Ocean Safety was a big factor but we will take the win and the young crew should be congratulated for their effort and their commitment.”

In Class Super zero, John Merricks II was the winner, Peter Harrison’s Farr 52, Chernikeeff 2, was in contention but a problem with their back stay ended with them deciding to retire.

In Class Zero, The top three were all British Rolex Commodores’ Cup boats with Nick and Annie Haigh’s DK46, Dark and Steamy winning the class from Jerry Otter’s Ker 39, Erivale III and David Lancefield First 45, Poppy of Portland Marina was third.

Nick Haigh commented; “It was an interesting race, we very nearly had to pull out after a steering problem in the early on, then cheating the tide down the Dorset coast, I think some of the hill walkers thought we were going to join the National Trust! We were happy with our form and we could see the big boats ahead of us for much of the race which was psychologically rewarding but the tidal gate at Ocean Safety was a big factor and that is where John Merricks II got away from us. Towards the finish, we had a marvellous night power reaching back to the Solent.”

In Class One, Phillipe Delaporte’s, J/122, Pen Azen won class for the second offshore in succession. In second place was The Army Sailing Association’s A40RS,British Soldier and Sailing Logic’s Reflex 38, Puma Logic was third.

In Class Two, Noel Racine’s JPK 9.60, Foggy Dew, enjoyed the lively conditions, in second place was British Rolex Commodore’s Cup entrant, Adrian Lowers J/109, Jaguar of Burnham. Michael Boyd & Niall Dowling J/105, Slingshot, was third in class. An impressive result as they were sailing two handed. However debutants, Nick and Suzi Jones’ First 34.7, Astarte, won the two handed division beating Slingshot into second place with Simon Curwen’s J/105, Voador, in third.

Class 3 saw triumph for the oldest boat in the fleet, Paul March’s S&S, Clarionet. David Lees’ High Tension 36, Hephzibah continued her consistent form with a second place and Astarte was third.

Paul March commented, “What a superb race, especially the reach in the Channel back to the Solent, truly great sailing!”

RORC Season’s Points Championship 2008

The Royal Ocean Racing Club’s Season’s Points Championship consists of a testing series of races which attracts an international and varied fleet. For the serious offshore sailor, trying to win the Season’s Points Championship is the real challenge. The Season’s Points Championship this year includes the tactically challenging BMW Round Ireland Race and a new addition to the RORC sailing programme, The Cowes Madeira Race which offers an exciting opportunity of a race to Madeira and back, some 1500 miles away in the Atlantic off the coast of Africa. For those with less time, the programme also includes a race to the charming port of La Rochelle.
For the full RORC racing programme go to: http://www.rorc.org
For more information, please contact: –
RORC: Tel. 020 7493 2248, E-mail racingmanager@rorc.org.uk
PRESS LIAISON: Trish Jenkins – J2 Communications & Events, Email: trish@j2pr.co.uk , 07880 518689 / 01983 248070
RACE REPORTS: Louay Habib, Email: louayhabib@gmail.com , 07801800521