 The RYA Olympic Classes Spring Series winners for 2013 were crowned following the final event of the three-weekend series at Hayling Island. The annual Series provides home-grown talents the chance for some early-season racing against Olympic and Paralympic classes competitors, and some of the British Sailing Team’s top performers.
Two weekends of racing at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy in March and April had set the stage for a fitting series finale at Hayling Island Sailing Club, where honours were at stake in the 49er, 470, Finn and RS:X fleets.
Entries were slightly lower than usual, with a number of young British Sailing Team talents studying feverishly during this school and university exam season, but there was no shortage of talent on show across the two days of light wind racing.
470 Junior European silver medallists Mike Wood and Hugh Brayshaw were prevented from a clean sweep of weekend victories at the hands of Jonny McGovern and Ben Palmer, but their second place at HISC was enough to earn them the overall Series title for 2013.
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 Cowes Week Limited has reported that of the entries received to this year’s Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week to date, almost 20 percent are from overseas.
It’s no coincidence that in ‘odd’ years, when the Rolex Fastnet Race starts immediately after this historic regatta, international participation increases.
The boat with the longest journey to Cowes is the Australian Secret Mens Business 3.5, which was winner of the 2010 Rolex Sydney to Hobart Race. Owner and skipper, Geoff Boettcher has competed in a total of 23 Sydney to Hobart Races but has never raced in either Cowes Week or the Fastnet Race.
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The 2013 British Open Team Racing Championship for the Wilson Trophy was won by Wessex Exempt in a thrilling best of five final sailed at West Kirby Sailing Club.
The six sailors (Ben Ainsworth, Rachel Williamson, Jonathon Pinner, Kerry Capps, Tom Heywood, Catherine Friend) overcame stiff competition from 34 of the world’s top teams, who came from as far afield as America and Ireland, and included guest entry, British Sailing Team fronted by Olympic 470 silver medallists, Luke Patience and Stuart Bithell.
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A wonderful day was had by all at Beaulieu’s 2013 Boat Jumble, with the crowds out in force sniffing out plenty of boating bargains. Following the cancellation of last year’s event due to dangerous high winds, all eyes were on the skies this year, but there was no need to worry, as the weather remained dry and fine, if a little chilly.
The event was very successful with an enjoyable atmosphere and visitor numbers were on a par with 2011 at 8,834. The Boatmall was bustling with activity as usual, with plenty of people browsing for new boats, clothing and the latest hi-tech sailing gadgets, and an array of used boats were up for sale in the Boatmart, from classics to nearly new.
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British solo offshore sailing took a step in the right direction, as three Anglo-Saxon Figaro skippers conquered the Rookie podium. Storming the 305-mile Solo Arrimer finish line, 22 year old Artemis Offshore Academy sailor Jack Bouttell claimed the Rookie podium top spot, finishing 16th overall out of field of 26 sailors packed with talent.
The next Artemis Rookie over the line was Ed Hill, who stepped up on the podium behind comrade Jack to take second, a great achievement and confidence boost for both British Academy sailors in only the second solo race of their careers. Completing the Anglo Rookie trio was Irish Figaro sailor David Kenefick, who finished 21st overall behind Ed in 20th.
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