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16:11 Thursday 13 Aug 2015 Sue Pelling/CWLQuotes of the day – from New York Challenge Cup winner, Artemis Challenge winner, and IRC Class 5 and XOD winners

New York Challenge Cup – Paul Wilcox (helmsman) Tonnerre 4 (Ker 51 Custom)

“We had good start and our tactician Jeremy Robinson made a call for us to get inshore as close as we could, depth wise, to The Green, so we had positive tide while the rest of the fleet had tide against them.

“We rounded the bottom mark with the Maxi 72s, so it was a really good leg for us and we massively extended on the rest of the fleet we should have been racing against. I would say that was where the race was won because once we’d turned the corner the breeze kind of died from the back and that helped us extend.

“The guys on the boat did a good job, everyone was in sync and, somehow it always makes a difference when you get in front of the fleet, everyone works a bit harder and everyone is inspired to do well.

“We spoke to Pieter Vroon, the owner of the boat, and he said he was very excited because he hasn’t won the trophy since 1978. I am not too sure there are many people around Cowes who can say that.”

Artemis Challenge – Sidney Gavignet, Musandam-Oman Sail (MOD70)

“The Artemis Challenge is a race that we have been doing for several years now and we are very happy to win it. We had some very nice guests on board, Serge Betsen – a famous French rugby player – and Ben Saunders – a celebrated British explorer. It is hugely satisfying to see the progression that our Omani sailors have made, for Oman Sail this win is very exciting, we are making big steps with our development.

“We have a bit of a love story with the UK, last year we broke the Round Britain and Ireland record and earlier this year, we added the Round Ireland record, we didn’t break the Artemis Challenge record today, but maybe next time.”

IRC Class 5 – James Owen, Jet (J/97)

“We had a secret weapon onboard today in the form of J-Class guru, Paul Heyes. We had a fantastic day, albeit a little on the wet side, and really enjoyed learning from the master.

“I think today was all about boatspeed and keeping out the worst of the tide. Once ahead it was a matter of keeping the concentration and sailing fast. We are all local boys too, so local knowledge helped in that respect. We are now drying out, having a celebratory drink in the Lifeboat in East Cowes.”

XOD – George Alford, Arrow

“This is my first win in 44 years so it is quite special. We came in late to the starting line then went east toward Ryde and managed to pick a good line. It was such an appalling day though we couldn’t really see where we were going because the visibility was so bad. Added to that, because it was so dark, our solar-powered compass wasn’t working so we had to keep a careful look out for the windward mark.

“The key to our win, in addition to the excellent team work by daughter Caroline Underwood and Tom D’arcey, was keeping up tide of the mark in the rather strange, unreliable wind.”