Itchenor crews' efforts were anything but weak at Cowes Week

In a year when the famous week enjoyed a record turnout of 146 X boats to celebrate the class’s centenary, it is true testament to the skills of the Itchenor team of 30 boats that they triumphed against truly stiff competition.

The most coveted trophy, the Captain’s Cup, returned again to Itchenor - this year in the hands of the crew of Phoenix. Andrew Shaw, helming with his uncle Chris Froy and Alan Roberts as crew, put together a

consistently-successful series of seven races to secure the prize.

Phoenix also won the Eustace Grenfell Trophy, Steele-Pilcher Salver, George Oliver Challenge Cup and the RMYC Centenary Trophy. Shaw was awarded the XOD Under-25 Cup and is the youngest winner of the Captain’s Cup since his father Alastair won it 40 years previously.

Other Itchenor boats winning trophies at Cowes were: Hiscock Trophy – Catherine (Peter and Steve Lawrence with Paddy Smart), Harold Hayles Bowl – Perdix (David Humphrey, Johnny Shaw and Julia Plumstead) and The Ark and Dove Challenge Cup – Xcitation – (John Tremlett, Jeremy Lear and Steve Spraggs).

Itchenor also won the Phillipson Shield, awarded to the division with the best results over the whole week - beating off a strong challenge from Lymington in particular, reflecting the outstanding performance of the whole team from Chichester Harbour.

CHICHESTER

THE 51 competitors at the latest Chichester Yacht Club Frozen Toe races were greeted by mild temperatures but a gusty and shifty breeze from the east.

In the fast fleet, CYC members Brian and David Earl in a Javelin had an unexpected capsize in race one, resulting in a broken mast.

With some exhilarating reaching, the Blaze of Andy Conway took first place in race one on corrected time, with Nick and Roger Elliman second in their RS400. 

In race two, the wind moderated and Conway won again with the Ellimans RS400 second and the other RS400 of Jason and Sonia Kirk taking third on corrected time.

In the medium fleet, the expected duel between the CYC Lasers of Chris Spencer, Luke South and Phil Ford was played out and they finished in that order. However, the National 12 of William Warren and Sophie Mackley kept their 100 per cent record with two firsts. 

Determined and consistent sailing by Clare Whitehill (Papercourt SC) in her Laser Radial gave her fifth and fourth on corrected time.

The slow fleet had 20 starters, with the Optimists of Arthur Fry (CYC) and Henry Chandler (Emsworth SC) first and second ahead of Tom Holliday, also from Emsworth SC.

In the second race and slightly less gusty conditions, the slow fleet winner was Alexander Lee in his Laser 4.7 with the Optimists of Chandler and Fry second and third and only one second apart at the finish.

The top three in the slow fleet are separated by just three points, showing the closeness and standard of the sailing.