Fifteen CBYA members took part in this trip to Cowes on the Isle of Wight from 13th to 17th June.

We arrived in Cowes on Thursday afternoon and met up at the Royal London Yacht Club, where most members were staying. The Club is right on the seafront alongside the world-famous Royal Yacht Squadron.

Early evening we were welcomed by our ex-Vice Chairman, Neil Robertson, and his wife Vicki, to a reception at their beautiful house overlooking the Solent, before moving on to the Island Sailing Club, where we had an excellent dinner.

Friday was a do-your-own-thing day, and several people took the opportunity of visiting Osborne House in East Cowes, the much-loved home of Queen Victoria, which is now in the hands of English Heritage.

Our Chairman, John Mackney, had his boat Sapphire, a Beneteau Oceanis 42 in Cowes, entered in the Round the Island Race, with CBYA members Malcolm Reeve, Simon and Connie Forster, and Karen Gardner, as part of the crew. Unfortunately, after attending the weather update given in the evening by the Race Committee where eight of the smaller classes had been cancelled, John decided to pull out as well, as he did not want to subject some of his more inexperienced crew to what looked like very bad weather on the morning of the race.

Saturday was dreadful as predicted!! The start on The Royal Yacht Squadron line was OK, but nothing like the 939 boats entered were present for the start. It was chaos on the other side of the Island, and all three Isle of Wight lifeboats were in attendance. There were, fortunately, no serious casualties. Of the boats which did start, 418 retired, and only 154 finished. Highland Fling had the line honours.

Neil and Vicki drove four CBYA members round the island to follow the race, and they had a great day!

Early on Saturday evening we went to a private showing at the local art gallery, followed by a Bar-B-Q at The Royal London.

On Sunday we were taken on board Vicki’s lovely motorboat, Quayline, for lunch at The Royal Solent Yacht Club in Yarmouth. Fortunately, the sea had calmed down somewhat, and we had a great trip.

The Royal London made us very welcome once again, as did the Island Sailing Club.

Huge thanks must go to Vicki who helped so much with the arrangements in Cowes.

John is now sailing Sapphire to Spain, so please join us in sending him good weather, and great safe sailing, for his trip.

The Social Team