News - 2014

14:00 Saturday 10 Aug 2013 Sue Pelling/CWLEast coast sailors win Squib class with a day to spare

Impressive crew work aboard Lady Penelope – photo Rick Tomlinson/CWL

The Squib class has a reputation for being one of the most highly contested fleets at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week, and this year is no exception. It is also one of the most popular classes for young sailors with the likes of Fred Warrren-Smith who won the Squib Class in 2010 when he was just 14, always providing tough competition.

The 24-boat fleet has enjoyed a highly contested week throughout the fleet and, although Lady Penelope (Malcolm Hutchings and Andy Ramsey) clinched an overall win with a day to spare, the results of the remainder of the fleet is still open going into today’s final race.

Hutchings and Ramsey from Burnham-on-Crouch on the east coast were joined at the front of the fleet all week by fellow Burnham sailor – Duncan Grindley and Micky Wright/Gina Porteous in Surprise – currently in second place.

Hutchings and Ramsey are no strangers to the top of the Squib fleet at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week, having won the class now for three years in a row.

Hutchings commented: “It was an aim to come here to try and win the Squib class. Our new Chairman – Steve Warren-Smith – from the local Royal Victoria YC is keen on promoting youth sailing in the Squib class so hopefully we should see some new blood next year.

“I am delighted to have won the class for the third time. To win White Group overall, which we are currently leading, would, of course be good for us personally, but also it would be good to take the White Group Trophy home to the east coast. It would also be good for the Squib class to help promote the current boost to get more youngsters into the class. That result is all down to what happens out on the race course today.

“The competition this week has been exceptionally close. Even though I have won, up to date, four races, it has been by seconds. In actual fact, this year has been the hardest to win class, even though we have won it with a race to spare. Surprise has given us a real run for our money."

Chatting about what makes a winner at this sort of regatta, Hutchings added: “Without doubt it is having a good crew. Andy, is always spot on at the front of the boat, and in a challenging regatta such as this, it’s what makes all the difference.”