It was a week of two halves in terms of the weather at this year’s British Classic Week hosted by the British Classic Yacht Club (BCYC), but when the results were in it was 6mR Sioma (small yacht winner) and 8mR Anne Sophie (large yacht winner) who took home the overall regatta trophies.
Two days of wet and wild racing in the early part of the regatta preceded lighter airs and champagne sailing to complete the five-race series with race management by Race Officer Peter Saxton and his team from the Royal Yacht Squadron (RYS).
Regatta Chairman Giovanni Belgrano commented, “It was an awesome week and some of the best sailing I have had in my life. The race management team did an exceptional job giving us five varied races in challenging conditions. The camaraderie and socialising on the dock matched the racing, it was fantastic to see everyone making friends and sharing their beautiful yachts.”
Following a feeder race from the Royal Solent Yacht Club’s Taittinger Regatta and a welcome BBQ at Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club, racing kicked off on day one with the Forts Race sponsored by Spirit Yachts. In the evening, regatta guests enjoyed drinks and canapés at the Royal Yacht Squadron.
Day 2 brought 1.5m+ waves and 25 knots of wind, so the scheduled Around the Island race was replaced by passage racing in the Solent, sponsored by Global Forecaster. Once back on the dock, wet and weary sailors were greeted with cold beers from Bainbridge International.
By day 3, high pressure delivered sunshine and light winds as day broke for the Female Helm Race sponsored by Raymarine. Following the traditional Concours d’Elegance Parade past the RYS, all classes set off on a fleet start for the 8.8nm course in the western Solent. Once ashore, the party started with post-racing drinks from Raymarine followed by the infamous Classic Boat Pontoon Party with drinks from Hattiers Rum and Dartmouth Gin.
The good weather continued into day 4, which brought champagne sailing conditions for the Long Inshore Race sponsored by OneSails GBR, followed by a Nyetimber sparkling wine bar on the dock by Pantaenius Yacht Insurance.
Results from Race 4 meant Spirit R52 Happy Forever beat rival Spirit C72 Gwenhyfar II by just 45 seconds leaving the Class 1 win all to play for between these two yachts on the final day of the regatta. In Class 2, 8mR Anne Sophie took her second win in two days. S&S sloop Sunstone also took her second win of the week to set up a final day clash with Giovanni Belgrano’s Whooper for second and third places. In Class 4, Sioma II made it two wins from four races across the week.
After a final day’s close racing in light winds from a committee boat start, the results were in. Overall class wins after some closely contested racing went to Spirit R52 Happy Forever in Class 1, 8mR Anne Sophie in Class 2, S&S Swan 36 Anna Mai in Class 3, and 6mR Sioma in Class 4.
Having sailed hard in the big winds in the early part of the week and then dominating in the light breeze in the second half of the regatta, it was the Metre yachts that triumphed overall with 8mR Anne Sophie from Germany winning the regatta’s Large Yacht of the Week and 6mR Sioma winning Small Yacht of the Week.
At the end of the week Birgit Brandes from 8mR Anne Sophie said, “Thank you for the warm welcome, the wonderful racing, the perfect organisation, and of course the prizes!”
Dates for next year’s British Classic Week are 6th – 11th July 2025.
Full list of 2024 winners
Je Ne Sais Quoi prizes:
Class 1: Crusade
Class 2: Anne Sophie
Class 3: Sunstone & Whooper
Class 4: Sabrina
Gaffers: Snippet
Motor Boat: Maudorces
Overall Je Ne Sais Quoi winner: Harlequin
In Need of a Stiff Drink Trophy donated by Spirit Yachts: Crusade (for an engine fire onboard)
Best Presented New Entrant, Per Ardua ad Mare trophy: Sheevra
Forts Race sponsored by Spirit Yachts: Classes 1 & 2 overall winner: Happy Forever
West Solent passage race sponsored by Global Forecaster: Gwenhyfar II
Female Helm race sponsored by Raymarine:
Class 1: Gwenhyfar II
Class 2: Anne Sophie
Class 3: Anna Mai
Class 4: Timoa
Gaffer: Dorothy
Overall Female Helm Winner: Anne Sophie
Long Inshore Race sponsored by OneSails GBR:
Class 4 and Gaffers: Sioma II
Class 3: Sunstone
Classes 1 & 2: Anne Sophie
Highest % female crew: Quailo III
Youngest crew member: Florence Spooner on Snippet (13yrs)
Highest % family crew: Arctic Skua
Overall Class winners:
Class 1:
3rd: Crusade
2nd: Gwenhyfar II
1st: Happy Forever
Class 2:
3rd: Helen
2nd: Cetewayo
1st: Anne Sophie
Class 3:
3rd: Whooper
2nd: Sunstone
1st: Anna Mai
Class 4:
3rd: Timoa
2nd: Enchanted
1st: Sioma
Highest Placed Gaffer: Eilun
Highest Placed Spirit overall: Happy Forever
Small Yacht of the Week: Sioma
Large Yacht of the Week: Anne Sophie
