A fleet of Redwings enjoy better weather conditions on Tuesday, at Cowes Week, Isle of Wight. Picture by Jennifer Burton.
THE threat of squalls of 33-34-knots was enough for race officials at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week to abandon racing in many classes yesterday (Wednesday).
However, the day held notable Isle of Wight successes among those classes which did brave the day's challenging conditions.
Not least among them was Willem Wester's Antilope which posted another bullet in RC Class 1. At the half way stage of the regatta, the Isle of Wight boat was leading the class overall.
It was second place for both David Franks' Strait Dealer in IRC Class 4 and Eldred Himsworth's Drumbeat in the Contessa 32s, while Fandango (Brendan McMahon and Adam Ridett) also came second in the First 40.7 class behind Elandra (Calvin Reed).
Local boat Jet (James Owen) netted third place in the J/97s and it was third also for the Isle of Wight's Christopher Sharples and Richard Acland on Jolene II in the J/109s.
The J/122 Class saw local boats Ghost (Ken Lowes) and Mint Julep (David Cule) secure second and third, while Nigel Talbot's Nitric was the second multihull to finish.
Zara Phillips will be in town today to start the sixth annual Artemis Challenge - a 50 mile high-speed sprint around the Island. A £10,000 donation will be given to the charity of the winning boat, and the team will take home The Artemis Challenge Trophy.
Today is also Ladies Day with the main focus being an evening reception at which the Ladies Day Trophy will be awarded.
The trophy recognises an outstanding contribution, commitment or achievement of a woman in sailing.
Reporter: martinn@iwcpmail.co.uk