News - 2014

13:10 Thursday 8 Aug 2013 Rupert Holmes/CWLA glorious day at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week

Jochen Schumann’s 100ft Maxi Esimit Europa 2 led the Big Boats away from Black Group Bramble line in champagne sailing conditions. Photo Rick Tomlinson/CWL

The sixth day of Aberdeen Assset Management Cowes Week started with the two MOD70 trimarans and six IMOCA60s competing in the Artemis Challenge starting at 1015 in very light and fickle winds. However, the sea breeze filled in a little earlier than predicted and within half an hour they were making swift progress in a south-easterly breeze.

The main south-westerly sea breeze set in before noon, allowing the J/70 start, the first one for regular Cowes Week competitors, to get away at 1205 in champagne sailing conditions, with a steady west-south-westerly wind of 10-12 knots and plenty of sun. Five minutes later the towering rigs of the biggest yachts in IRC Class 0 started from the Bramble line a little to the north, led by Jochen Schumann’s 100ft Maxi Esimit Europa 2 and making an impressive sight.

The first White Group dayboats are expected to finish on the Royal Yacht Squadron line around 1520, after sailing close inshore off the Green under spinnaker. Black Group yachts, finishing on the Bramble and Shrape lines are expected from 1500 onwards.