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18:25 Saturday 8 Aug 2015 Sue Pelling/CWLWinners' quotes of the day

Carrying out a good start was key in today's tricky conditions – photo Rick Tomlinson/CWL

Dragon class – Graham Bailey, Aimee

 “It was one of those days when a foxy move by Eric Williams at the end nearly got us.

 “We ground out a three boat-length lead at the last mark, then we just had to run from the east. It should have been a straight forward, pole-forward reach to the finish but we were against the tide, and with the easterly sea breeze it can just drop towards the end of the day. It was dropping but there was more wind offshore than inshore, and it’s difficult if you get caught under Norris.

"One of our crew, Gilly Hamilton, kept saying neaps turn early. I felt that the tide should never have gone when it did, but sure enough she was right. Interestingly, Eric Williams behind, had gone in there, and despite all the reasons onto to go in there, when the tide’s gone and the wind is dropping, the big game says you have to go in. We cut our losses and went in but Eric had already got ahead of us but we just managed to do a couple of good gybes on the line. We had to work for that one but we were nearly out-foxed.

“Great race and we really enjoyed it.”

J/80 – Kevin Sproul, JAT

“Despite the lack of wind, it was a really exciting race because Ben Vines is sailing Purple Haze that finished second. We knew they would be really competitive and indeed they led all the way round the course, two or three boat lengths in front of us.

“There were never really any overtaking lanes because there were no proper beats or runs until the last run, and that was really one-sided. We just kept hanging in there even at the last. I reminded the crew that anything can happen at Cowes Week and it’s not over until we’ve crossed the line.

“We did a couple of dummy gybes at the end and he stayed with us. On the third time, however, we did a dummy and he went for the gybe and sailed for the finish line. We however, sailed on another 20 yards slightly further inshore out the tide – which had just changed – gybed and got him on the line. By keeping well in, almost on the beach out the tide, was enough for us to just get our nose ahead across the line.”

IRC Class 1

Cornel Riklin, Jitterbug J/111

“We had a fantastic day. It was unusual to have a downwind start but we stayed on the right side of the tide in the fluky winds and it paid off. Our win was undoubtedly down to our tactician (Christian Sutherland) and our navigator (Tom Campbell) making good calls in the tricky conditions. The wind strength varied from 2kts up to 13kts, so it was generally a real tactical race, so we are delighted to have done so well on the opening day.”