AN ISLE of Wight sailor’s hopes of winning the Young Skippers’ Trophy for the third consecutive year were given a welcome boost when he finished first in today’s (Thursday) Squib race at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week.
Fred Warren-Smith, who sails at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, Fishbourne, crossed the finishing line with his nearest rival, Malcolm Hutchings and Andy Ramsey’s Lady Penelope, just seven seconds behind.
The win puts him second in the overall standings for the prestigious trophy which he won in 2010 and 2011.
The class held further Isle of Wight success with Martin and Anne Harrison’s Hussar finishing third.
The current leader of IRC Class 1, Island-based Antilope (Willem Wester), came third today with his closest rival in the overall standings, Michael Bartholomew’s Tokoloshe, taking the win.
Meanwhile Bernard Olesinski’s Xinska team continued their sparkling form with a first in IRC Class 3. Unfortunately the crew, who are all local, have dropped to second in the overall Black Group standings.
IRC Class 4 saw David Franks’ Strait Dealer pick up third place, while local boat Jo Richards’ Woof cemented its position at the top of IRC Class 7 with another win today.
Eldred Himsworth came second in the Contessa 32s with seconds also for Defender (Jeremy Preston and Mark Fear) in the Darings and Graham Bailey in the Dragon class.
Local skipper Mark Downer steered Moonlight – currently second overall in the Etchells - into third place while there was another good podium finish for Fandango (Brendan McMahon and Adam Ridett) in the First 40.7 class.
Currently lying third overall in the Flying 15s, the local crew of Andrew Millband and Tony Hastings took second in today’s race.
There were also wins for Ken Lowes’ Ghost in the J/122s and Anthony Eaton’s Dragonfly in the Mermaids and a second place for John Beech’s Humdinger in the multihulls.
Local Redwing, Quail, as came second in today’s race, as did Geoff West’s Lightning Reflex in the Reflex 38 class.
Elsewhere, local boats Jenny (Andy Cassell) and Miscreant (Greg Driver) came second and third respectively in the Sonars and Fer De Lance (Glyn Locke, Myles Mence and Alex Locke) came second in the Sportsboat.
Tomorrow sees the Best of Britain celebration day with an opportunity to meet some of Britain’s Olympic sailors fresh from competing at Weymouth.
The team, including Lucy Macgregor/Annie Lush/Kate Macgregor (Elliott 6m), Paul Goodison (Laser), Hannah Mills/Saskia Clark (470), Luke Patience/Stuart Bithell, (470), Stevie Morrison/Ben Rhodes (49er), Nick Dempsey (RS:X), Bryony Shaw (RS:X), and Alison Young (Laser Radial), is expected to be in Cowes in the morning.
The team will be out and about all day and there’ll be opportunities take part in the Q&A sessions scheduled to take place on the Parade and on the Volvo stand in Cowes Yacht Haven during the day.
Meanwhile the traditional Cowes Week fireworks will start at 9.30pm tomorrow.
Reporter: martinn@iwcpmail.co.uk