Cowes Week 2010 Blog
Following on from last year’s win at Cowes Week, The Listening Company has returned to the Isle of Wight to sail to victory once more. We are keen to ensure that you are up-to-date with all the latest news from The Listening Company team and all that is going on at Cowes Week 2010. Please see below the Cowes Week blog courtesy of sunsail.co.uk.
The Listening Company’s finishing positions so far:
Friday 6th August: 1st
Thursday 5th August: 1st
Wednesday 4rd August: 1st
Tuesday 3rd August: 1st
Monday 2nd August: 1st
Sunday 1st August: 3rd
Saturday 31st July: 2nd
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Overall Results
After a fantastic performance throughout the week, showcasing both their sailing ability and consistency, The Listening Company have exceeded last years achievements and been crowned winners of the Sunsail 37 Class at Cowes Week, as well as becoming the first Sunsail team to win the overall Black Group title. Congratulations for the achievement must go to skipper Neville Upton as well as the rest of the team. Deloitte secured second place after a fantastic start and finish to the week, with AXA finishing in third place.
Congratulations to all the teams who competed. We hope that you have enjoyed being a part of this world famous regatta as much as do. It must be acknowledged that your contribution to the racing and the atmosphere of the occasion make the event what it is. We look forward to welcoming you all aboard next year.
Day Seven - Friday 6th August
Weather – The forecast for Friday was force 3 building to force 5 with drizzle. Sure enough this is what we had with visibility very low in the persistant rain.
Racing commenced on the Royal Yacht Squadron Line at 12.30 and the course took competitors around Channel, Quad Possumos, East Leap, Elephant boat yard buoys, before returning to the RYS line. The weather limited the visibility and ensured that the teams finish the week in a suitably saturated state, however the sailing conditions were good and allowed for a competitive final day of racing. As we have come to expect after a fine weeks racing, The Listening Company ensured they secured the Sunsail class title in style, securing their fourth win in a time of 02:16:23. They were followed in by Red Funnel 1, with AXA claiming third place for the day.
Day Six – Thursday 5th August
Weather – The racing was delayed due to the changing wind direction and and light conditions. After the racing started, much of the wind was against the tide and by the finish there was a good 25 knots of wind.
At 13.10 the committee boat managed to find a slot and the racing commenced. There was a minor incident reported on the start line which ended in Sunsail 3 AXA protesting Sunsail 11 Red Funnel. Racing was around the area West of the Bramble Bank using buoys Wight Vodka, Flying Fish, Fastnet Insurance, Hill Head, Sunsail Event, North East Ryde Middle, to the RYS line.
The lead yacht did have a minor loss of concentration as they left Sunsail Event Buoy by heading for Peel Bank Buoy. It appeared from the Class Captain’s RIB that the fleet was following, however after noticing their error the fleet turned towards the correct NE Ryde Middle, the last mark of the course. The Listening Company again dominated the fleet with an impressive performance, finishing in a time of 03:00:47.
Prize giving was reluctantly held up by the protest of Sunsail 3 on Sunsail 11. Subsequently the Sunsail 37 class Captain Chris Satchwell was only able to present the trophy for the days race winners Sunsail 05 The Listening Company. After the appeal, Red Funnel were disqualified, leaving Deloitte to take second place and Cazenove Dynamic to claim third.
Day Five – Wednesday 4th August
Weather – Heavy wind and rain….and lots of fun!
The Forecast for the day had offered the threat of Heavy rain and force 6 winds, and so it would prove. The numerous brave sould headed out to met by heavy rain and wind that hit like cannon balls, providing some very interesting conditions. The fleet started from the committee boat off Hill Head and were set a course around the Bramble Bank in the central Solent.
A number of the yachts grounded for a short time on the rising tide, and the fleet became very compact as they rounded the marks, ensuring that competitors experienced the full range of emotions on an action packed day of racing. The Listening Company again emerged victorious from the pack aboard Sunail 05, followed by Deloitte on Sunsail 20, under the instruction of new skipper James Yearley, and Martin Dawes Systems finished in third on Sunsail 01.
Day Four - Tuesday 3rd August
Weather – Fine conditions and a steady force 3, increasing to a force 4.
The fleet started off from the Royal Yacht Squadon line at 12.10 amidst fine sailing conditions. The wind was a steady force 3 providing great conditions, allowing sailors to truly put their racing ability to the test. This suited The Listening Company who have developed upon their reputation from last year as the strongest sailors in the fleet. The Listening Company crossed the line in first, almost two minutes ahead of the nearest boat, National Grid, who are steadily working their way up the standings. Third place went to Cazenove Absolute who are having a good week and finished in a time of 03:19:37.
Day Three – Monday 2nd August
Weather – The racing was postponed unitl 15.00 due to lack of wind off Cowes. When racing resumed a good steady wind of 20 knots from the West ensured some fast racing conditions.
When the racing commenced at 15.00, races began at 5 minute intervals, as opposed to the standard 10 mins. At the first mark the fleet was very close, and as the teams broke out the spinnakers, one boat sailed through the middle of the fleet on a port tack and very nearly caused an accident. The racing concluded at 17.00 and was close to the finish, with the first 6 boats seperated by just under a minute and a half. The Listening Company, accompanied by former England rugby union captain Lawrence Dallaglio, crossed the line in first place aboard Sunsail 05. AXA followed closely behind on Sunsail 03, with Cazenove Dynamic on Sunsail 06 in third. Despite the delay, competitors enjoyed good wind and a great race.
The image below shows the winners of Day 3, The Listening Company, with Lawrence Dallaglio hoisting their trophy aloft after a great race.
Image courtesy of Hamo Thornycroft Photography. Please click here to view more images from Cowes Week.
Day Two – Sunday 1st August
Weather – Less windy than Saturday but still fabulous sailing conditions
On day two the Sunsail 37 class started at the Royal Yacht Squadron (RYS) line. After a clean start the fleet headed west in force 4 winds. The fleet turned at Elephant Boat Yard race mark in a very confused sea. After the mark, Sunsail 27 ran aground on Gurnard ledge. The fleet then negotiated a busy Cowes Roads to finish on the RYS line. Deloitte again finished in first onboard Sunsail 20, followed by AXA in Sunsail 03.
Day One – Saturday 31st July
Weather – Cloudy with little wind in the morning, clearing up in the afternoon to a beautiful day with strong winds and perfect sailing conditions.
The Sunsail 37 class began the week with a committee boat start off Stokes Bay. Upon commencing the race, the fleet headed west and by the first mark Sunsail 05 had established 7 minute lead over the fleet. However, by the final mark, the RNC and Royal Albert Yacht Club mark, the fleet had come together and last years winners, The Listening Company, had been overtaken by Deloitte Sunsail 20, who won the race, followed by Red Funnel in third.
The image below shows the winners of Day 1, Deloitte, collecting their trophy and prestigious Sunsail champagne at the prize giving party.
