News - 2012

11:37 Saturday 18 Aug 2012 Sue Pelling/CWLSwallow Class attracts more youngsters to the fleet

Oxford Blue team Guy Stephens, Phil Derry and Chris Young race Goosander

The Swallow may be an ex-Olympic class boat of over 60 years old but the forward thinking class association is always keen to embrace new technology to ensure it remains popular.

Last year a new sail plan and sailcloth was introduced, which, according to Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week regular, Anthony Lunch, transformed the class.

The original Terylene sailcloth was replaced with Mylar and more roach was cut in the main. Lunch commented: “It is great that our numbers competing here at Cowes Week are up this year to 14 boats. Whether it is a direct result of developments in the class or not, it is hard to say, but one thing for sure is the the sails are more efficient. We’ve gone for a bigger, fuller jib too, which gives slightly more power.”

Lunch, who races Solitude within the 35-strong fleet at Itchenor Sailing Club on a regular basis, says the class is in fine fettle although he was slightly disappointed about his own results this week. “We haven’t done so well this year and I think it is a bit to do with the new rig set up. Once we get that sorted I am hoping the results will improve. Certainly by this time next year.”

One of the most interesting initiatives the class has introduced is the bursary scheme to encourage more youngsters to race. The fleet has agreed that each year one owner lends his boat as the bursary boat for the week. A team of youngsters are then invited to race at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week courtesy of the class association.

Lunch commenting on the success of the scheme said: “We make sure all costs are covered including mooring fees and entry to the regatta. All they need to do is turn up and race. This year it is the turn of the Oxford Blues, sailing Goosander, and they have been doing exceptionally well. In fact they are just one point behind me going into the last race.”

The overall leader of the fleet going into today’s last race is Gwaihir, a 2007-built boat jointly owned by Mike Wigmore/Mark Struckett/Charles Hyatt. This team sailed consistently throughout the week. They won four races and have a four-point lead with one race to go.