Very changeable weather over the Easter weekend made for some challenging sailing conditions for the crews taking part in the RORC Easter Challenge.
This unique event takes the form of not only a prizewinning regatta but an event where crews can receive training advice both on and off the water. This event was supported by North Sails.
Friday saw choppy conditions in the Solent with18 knots from the south east with wind over tide increasing to over 20 knots in the afternoon with flatter seas.
PRO Stuart Childerley and the RORC Race Team organised a series of practice starts followed by a technical windward leeward race and a Solent marks race for all classes.
Following the racing about 300 sailors attended the Video Debrief held at the RORC Cowes Clubhouse.
On Saturday the Race Team delayed the start of racing as the breeze was still in the high teens but when racing got going it made for spectacular racing on a windward leeward course in the Central Solent. A second debrief followed with competitors saying how the on the water training had already improved performance. This debrief emphasised downwind tactics, including hoists, drops, and mark roundings, noting improvements needed for less experienced crews.
Calmer conditions on Sunday enabled the racing to take place. Once again, it was noted that improvements on sailing skills had been gained by crews- those debriefs were certainly of great use.
Handy hints at the debriefs were invaluable particularly for the younger sailors, of whom there were many. Crews came to the Island from around the World for this event many will be returning to Cowes for the RORC Admiral’s Cup in July. These events boost the Island’s economy and with the longer events where families join crews, those not sailing enjoy the Island’s sights and countryside.
Some Island sailors took part in this event. Olympian sailor Shirley Robertson was competing alongside her son.
Also competing over the weekend’s Easter Challenge was professional sailor Jules Salter. He started sailing at Gurnard aged five and has now competed around the World for decades as has his brother Guy. Now, Jules’ son Edward races regularly. They know the waters off the Island well as their home base is Gurnard. Jules is ideal as a navigator on board a boat with his local knowledge of Solent waters.
Today, Jules is a crew member aboard “Caro” which was 4th on handicap in the latest edition of the Sydney- Hobart Race and this boat was also the overall winner of the 2023 Rolex Fastnet Race. In this Easter Challenge “Caro” was placed 2nd in IRC 1.
Jules is planning to race in this year’s Cowes Week and is particularly relishing the return of the RORC Admiral’s Cup having been part of a USA team in the past.
Following the last race on Sunday the prizegiving took place at the RORC Cowes Clubhouse. As well as the trophies for the first 3 places in each class Easter Eggs were presented to winners. Winning crews went away with arms filled with the Easter Eggs and the event ended with the traditional Easter Egg free for all with Vice Commodore Derek Shakespeare as the pitcher.
2025 RORC Easter Challenge Class Winners
- IRC One – Peter Harrison’s TP52 IRC Jolt 3
- IRC Two – Per Roman’s JPK 1180 Garm
- IRC Three – Alain Waha & Matt Waite’s J/99 Further West
- IRC Four – Boardman Kelly & O’Leary’s Half Tonner 2 Farr
