News archive for 2009

11:59 Monday 3 Aug 2009 Sue Pelling/CWLCloser than close in IRC Class 4

Peter Morton's three-year-old Beneteau First 34.7 Salvo is starting to hit the headlines this week with some sparkling results recorded over the first two days in IRC Class 4. Morton is however, no stranger at the top end of the fleet having recorded an overall class win last year at Cowes Week, and was first in class in last year's IRC Nationals.

Fully aware of the stiff competition he is up against, he is first to point out that nothing, at this early stage of the regatta, is signed and sealed. He is currently (before today's racing) on equal points with Adam Gosling and his team aboard his Corby 30 Yes! who also have a 2,1 scoreline. Morton commented: "We have some good sailors in our fleet including the likes of Jo Richards on Full Pelt who had a good day yesterday. We also have some interesting yachts in the fleet such as Harry Heijst's S&S 41 Winsome which was 1st in IRC 4 Class in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2008."

Chatting about the sort of conditions that suit Salvo, Morton commented: "We won our class here last year in windy conditions so I'd say she's generally a good all rounder. Having a good crew, who've been with me for years, also helps."

Joining Team Salvo today is yacht designer Hugh Welbourn who says he's been given the job of trimming, and Alastair Shires one of Morton's long-standing crew members. "I started doing the bow for Peter years ago so I've slowly moved aft to the main. I'm really looking forward to a good day's racing today because it's just our weather."