The 3rd day of Cowes Classics Week saw South Westerly winds from 8 to 15 knots and some sun, giving competitors an easier day’s racing and enabling 2 races for the classic dayboats on the bank, as well as 1 longer race for the classic yachts.
The classic yachts were sent off to the west to Gurnard Ledge and Cowes Yacht Haven, and then down to the east as far as Howden Fastnet and the Royal Yacht Squadron racing mark over on the Lee on Solent shore, and then up and down to the Ryde Middle, before finishing on the Royal London line at Cowes.
Division 1 was won by Bojar followed by Sunmaid V and Crusade. Spirit of Tradition class was won by Chameleon of Cowes with Bel Canto second. Division 2 was won by Binkie II followed by Sally of Kames and Janessa, and Division 3 by Warrior followed by Zest and Paloma third with the Old Gaffers won by Alberta with Spinaway X second.
The XODs raced on the bank from a committee vessel stationed near the Hamble Winter Series racing mark, with a windward leeward race following a general recall and then a round the cans race up and down the bank from Williams Shipping to Hill Head, finishing at RORC rather than off Cowes Green due to shipping movements in the main channel. With John Tremlett helming Astralita counting a UFD the day was won by Ben McGrane helming Swallow, followed by Claire de Lune and Tortoise.
The committee vessels for Circuits 2 and 4 were again stationed over by the Lee on Solent shore, giving the National Swallows one windward leeward race and one round the cans race to finish at a boat stationed west of the Royal London racing mark. The winner of the day was Mike Wigmore sailing Gwaihir followed by Skua and Swift.
On Circuit 4 the Daring metre boats had two windward leeward races, with Streak helmed by Malcolm Lofts winning the day followed by Doublet, Graham Wilkinson and Lavinia Perry in Dreamer 3rd. The winner of the Victorys after 3 races was Kim Taylor in Zest with Paul Maidment in Zinderella 2nd and Geoff Dixon in Zelia 3rd.
