The Hamble Yacht Services Cape 31 National Championships took place over the weekend at the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes. With 21 Cape 31’s on the start line it was the biggest fleet yet and definitely the most action we’ve seen so far.
The regatta began with two races on Friday with the forecast building all day. The RYS Race Committee got two great races away before the tide turned to be against the wind. 2021 National Champions Squirt set the tone winning the first race closely followed by Fanatic and Arabella. Tokoloshe won race two with Shotgunn and Gelert rounding off the podium. The breeze got up and the tide turned during the second race so racing was stopped to allow the teams to get back to Cowes safely. Tokoloshe and Squirt led the regatta after day one both carrying a 1st and a 4th with Fanatic closely behind them with a 2nd and 6th.
Friday evening brought the Nationals Dinner at the Royal Yacht Squadron, a daily prize giving with drinks and canapés followed by a two course dinner. All of the owners were treated to a gift from the class before they danced the night away with the Pinstripe Band.
The forecast for Saturday was a solid 16-20 knots all day. The fleet were straight out the blocks in Race 1 with Tokoloshe taking the win. Fanatic took the next two race wins between multiple general recall’s and black flags. Squirt won the last race of the day with Antix and Katabatic rounding off the podium after Fanatic blew up their spinnaker and Tokoloshe having an incident at the top mark. This put Tokoloshe and Fanatic on equal points going into the final day. The day was rounded off with a daily prize giving with some rosé on the lawn at the Squadron.
The Race Committee tried their hardest to get some racing in on Sunday but with a dying breeze following the rain it proved impossible. Just after 11:30 racing was canned for the weekend and with the final horn blown it was champagne all round for the winners Fanatic, Johnny Cooper - 2022 Cape 31 National Champions. Tokoloshe were second on count back also finishing with 11 points, followed by Squirt with 15 points.
After the final regatta of the 31 Race Circuit the podium has been decided! Season Round up coming soon.
The fleet now look forward to the Hamble Winter Series - with two days of windward leeward racing next weekend 15th-16th October followed by four Sunday’s of windward leewards in November.