Cervantes Trophy
Roxy 9 takes the Cervantes Trophy 2003
In the build up to any race, inshore or offshore, competitors and organisers alike monitor the weather, especially with gale force winds predicted for the Channel, in the lead up to an offshore start. It turned out that the RORC race team travelling to the finish on a P & O ferry probably had the roughest ride in a force 9! By the Saturday morning start at 0800 from the RYS line in Cowes, the worst of the weather had gone through and the fleet set off in a SW 15-17. Heading out east to the Forts with a strong tide under them the fleet were line shy giving clear starts in all classes. A pleasant reach through the Forts, a few yachts tried to hold kites, but failed. The forecast was for the wind to go lighter and more southerly throughout the day as the fleet headed across the Channel towards the French coast. The Race committee in Cowes decided to use the shorter of the two published courses which would to take the fleet direct to Le Havre.
The fleet split with Roxy 9, owned by Robert Davies and with Robbie Cameron-Davies on board, sailing the Rhumb line but the flooding tide took her 15 degrees below. This became the winning tactic, as boats which allowed themselves to slide east were the first to find the new wind, as it clocked from 220 to 140. Those who sailed high to begin with, expecting a southerly, became trapped on the right side of the course. Class Zero boats had the benefit of strong flood tides flowing up the river Seine at the finish, with Class 2 and 3 boats having to beat against a foul tide.
The finishing line became a challenge for committees and race officials. Several boats failed to finish correctly and identification in the dark hours, without co-operation from competitors was nearly impossible. Remember with RORC races please help the Race Officer! You have VHF and mobiles, speak to us!
First to finish was Windward Sailing’s, Volvo 60, Venom at 21 00 followed at 21 02 by Kit Hobday & Tim Louis’s, Farr 52, Bear of Britain, and Nick Hewson’s Volvo For Life Team Tonic at 21 10. It was then to be a long night but most of the fleet were in by dawn with the remainder finishing during Sunday morning. A prizegiving was held, in warmth and sunshine, at the Societe des Regates du Havre. Jonathan Goring and Philip Woods, RORC Committee members made a great “double act” in conducting the prizegiving and thanking the President of the Club, Anne de Bagneaux-Savatier for their wonderful hospitality.
Qualifying for the Rolex Fastnet race was important for many of the boats in the Cervantes Trophy race as they set out to gain the required race mileage to secure entry into the Fastnet. Equally important for boats such as Bear of Britain and Volvo for Life Team Tonic is tuning up for the Admiral’s Cup. Representing the Royal Thames Yacht Club and the Royal Southern Yacht Club respectively the competition between these two Farr 52s will be something to watch between now and the AC which is being held in Cowes from 10 – 23 July.
In the 88 strong fleet 5 boats were racing 2 –handed. With the complexity of trying to put together large numbers of crews some owners are looking at, if not 2-handed, the “short handed” option. RORC General Conditions allow for a 2-handed division with automatic or wind-vane steering permitted. Entries must satisfy the committee that they have suitable and adequate experience with an appropriately organised boat.
RORC medallions will be presented on Tuesday 20 May, 1930 at the Clubhouse, 20 St James’s Place, London SW1. All crews will be welcome.
In the build up to any race, inshore or offshore, competitors and organisers alike monitor the weather, especially with gale force winds predicted for the Channel, in the lead up to an offshore start. It turned out that the RORC race team travelling to the finish on a P & O ferry probably had the roughest ride in a force 9! By the Saturday morning start at 0800 from the RYS line in Cowes, the worst of the weather had gone through and the fleet set off in a SW 15-17. Heading out east to the Forts with a strong tide under them the fleet were line shy giving clear starts in all classes. A pleasant reach through the Forts, a few yachts tried to hold kites, but failed. The forecast was for the wind to go lighter and more southerly throughout the day as the fleet headed across the Channel towards the French coast. The Race committee in Cowes decided to use the shorter of the two published courses which would to take the fleet direct to Le Havre.
The fleet split with Roxy 9, owned by Robert Davies and with Robbie Cameron-Davies on board, sailing the Rhumb line but the flooding tide took her 15 degrees below. This became the winning tactic, as boats which allowed themselves to slide east were the first to find the new wind, as it clocked from 220 to 140. Those who sailed high to begin with, expecting a southerly, became trapped on the right side of the course. Class Zero boats had the benefit of strong flood tides flowing up the river Seine at the finish, with Class 2 and 3 boats having to beat against a foul tide.
The finishing line became a challenge for committees and race officials. Several boats failed to finish correctly and identification in the dark hours, without co-operation from competitors was nearly impossible. Remember with RORC races please help the Race Officer! You have VHF and mobiles, speak to us!
First to finish was Windward Sailing’s, Volvo 60, Venom at 21 00 followed at 21 02 by Kit Hobday & Tim Louis’s, Farr 52, Bear of Britain, and Nick Hewson’s Volvo For Life Team Tonic at 21 10. It was then to be a long night but most of the fleet were in by dawn with the remainder finishing during Sunday morning. A prizegiving was held, in warmth and sunshine, at the Societe des Regates du Havre. Jonathan Goring and Philip Woods, RORC Committee members made a great “double act” in conducting the prizegiving and thanking the President of the Club, Anne de Bagneaux-Savatier for their wonderful hospitality.
Qualifying for the Rolex Fastnet race was important for many of the boats in the Cervantes Trophy race as they set out to gain the required race mileage to secure entry into the Fastnet. Equally important for boats such as Bear of Britain and Volvo for Life Team Tonic is tuning up for the Admiral’s Cup. Representing the Royal Thames Yacht Club and the Royal Southern Yacht Club respectively the competition between these two Farr 52s will be something to watch between now and the AC which is being held in Cowes from 10 – 23 July.
In the 88 strong fleet 5 boats were racing 2 –handed. With the complexity of trying to put together large numbers of crews some owners are looking at, if not 2-handed, the “short handed” option. RORC General Conditions allow for a 2-handed division with automatic or wind-vane steering permitted. Entries must satisfy the committee that they have suitable and adequate experience with an appropriately organised boat.
RORC medallions will be presented on Tuesday 20 May, 1930 at the Clubhouse, 20 St James’s Place, London SW1. All crews will be welcome.
