COWES WEEKCHAOS and confusion reigned on the Sunday of Cowes Week which saw 90 boats retire.
It soon became clear that something was amiss in the Squibs when the leaders found themselves languishing at the back of the fleet.
Boats were in conflict as to which direction to sail with similar problems repeated across the entire White Group.
The reason – the location of a mark had been changed in an amendment to the Sailing Instructions issued before the start of the regatta.
As competitors came off the water a growing number of protests were lodged, affecting dozens of competitors.
By late afternoon the list included eDigital Research vs 44 Laser SB3s, Richard Clay's Finn M'Coul against the entire 1720 fleet, Jevan vs many J/80s and Graham Bailey's Arbitrator vs the entire Etchells fleet.
Stuart Quarrie, Cowes Week chief executive, said: "I'm sorry for people who didn't go to the right position, but I really wish that all competitors would read the Sailing Instructions and the amendments."
But it was not all chaos, as excellent conditions made for some great racing.
Shortly after 10am the Laser SB3s started, heading east with the 60-strong fleet making a spectacular sight with their asymmetric spinnakers set. Among the onlookers was The Duke of Edinburgh and his entourage on board the Trinity House flagship Galatea, moored in Cowes Roads.
By the time of the Sonar start at 11.35am, the west-going tide had gained strength, so despite the steadier winds, competitors were again finding it harder to stay the right side of the line.
Peter Dudgeon's Disco was two lengths in front of the rest of the fleet at the start and scored OCS.
Richard Bailey's We're Here, started right close in to the shore, tacking on to port and almost immediately cleared ahead of the entire fleet.
The race was eventually won by Simon Barter’s Bertie with Bailey in second.
Meanwhile, in Class IRC1 Rio again had another great day, with owner Charles Dunstone helming for the entire 38-mile course, to take line honours and win on corrected time for the second day running.
Cowes yachtswoman, Louise Morton, in the Quarter Tonners, also achieved two wins in two days.
And there was further Island success including wins for Adam Gosling in Class 4 IRC, Julia Bailey in the Dragon class, the Downer family’s Moonlight in the Etchells and Peter Dickson in the Hunter 707s.
On Saturday, Graham And Stephen Bailey, unstoppable in the Etchells last year, picked up where they left off, while Morton also started with a win.
Thirteen-year-old Fred Warren-Smith won in the Squibs and Stuart Jardine in the XODs.