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SAILING LEGEND AT COWES

By Martin Neville - Wednesday, August 8, 2007
LEGEND Sir Robin Knox-Johnston was back in action yesterday (Tuesday) when the solo round-the-world yachtsman was the distinguished guest on Henri Lloyd Cutting Edge.
It was a far cry from his recent endeavours in the recent Velux 5 Oceans Race, which saw him returning to the Southern Ocean for the first time since his historic passage in Suhaili in 1968; a 16nm course, as opposed to 30,000nm, and 12 other crew instead of being on his tod.
He would also have been relieved to have a navigator alongside him to operate all the 21st century gadgetry that tested his patience so publicly during his recent circumnavigation.
The welcome sight of his five grandchildren in a RIB at the finish to wave him over the line added to his enjoyment.
Henri-Lloyd was the second finisher among the Farr 45s and eighth in Class 2 IRC which fell some way short of the results needed between now and the end of the week if they are to catch Glynn Williams.
He has again dominated Class 2 IRC in his Swan 45 Wisc and now looks to have an unassailable lead after posting a second place today.
Meanwhile, Cowes man Graham Bailey is enjoying a similar supremacy in the Etchells after posting his second win in two days in Arbitrator on top of a second and third at the weekend.
He will be difficult to beat, though his wife Julia, campaigning her new Dragon Aimee, will be looking to match him, crown for crown having posted a series of podium places this week to make the Dragon leaderboard a tightly packed affair with Len Jones in Rumours currently out in front.
Crowds who gathered on the Green were treated to the same scenes of mayhem that they enjoyed at the weekend as the strong east to west tide carried the dayboats dangerously close to the rocks and, in the case of Brian Hardy and Charles Platt’s Daring Destroyer, right onto them.
They spent ten minutes trying to heel her over to get her away but they were not the only ones to misjudge the depth as many boats were compelled to put in emergency tacks to keep them safe, resulting in sharp intakes of breath amongst spectators.