News - 2013

12:45 Sunday 4 Aug 2013 Rupert Holmes/CWLA second glorious day at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week

Colin Simonds sails with different family members each day, yet is always near the top of every fleet he races in. Photo: Rick Tomlinson/CWL

Glorious sun, with temperatures already reaching 20 Celsius by mid morning, and a wind that’s slowly building in strength are giving another day of excellent racing in the Solent. By late morning the breeze had built to 8-12 knots inshore close to the Island, but up to 15 knots with occasional stronger gusts in the central Solent, although it was still very shifty, with the mean direction varying through 30 degrees.

Most starts have been characterised by the west-going tide carrying competitors over the line, both on the RYS line for White Group dayboats and on the Bramble Line for Black Group yachts. While some fleets managed the conditions well, others were less cautious, including a number of Darings that had to return against the tide, and two yachts in IRC Class 6.

The first White Group dayboats will be finishing on the Shrape line off East Cowes at around 1330. Spectators on shore will get another good view of the Black Group yachts as they pass the Green on the way to the Royal Yacht Squadron finish line, starting with the large yachts in IRC Class 1, which are expected from 1420 onwards.

Today is family day at the regatta and an unprecedented number of boats can be seen flying the flag indicating they are sailing with a family crew.