Gilbert and McGrane take home Prince of Wales Cup

Wind drops to allow the International 14's annual top UK event to be held

After two days held ashore due to 30 knot winds, the 2010 Prince of Wales Cup was eagerly anticipated and waking up to steady 20 knots on Saturday morning, it didn’t disappoint.

Come the start the wind had dropped to 12 knots from the west and a relatively short mile long beat was set for the six lap epic. The early pace setters were Roger Gilbert sailing with Ben McGrane and Andy Partington and son, taking maximum gain from the strong southwesterly
filling in. Showing early promise in his brand new Ting Tong 1, Douglas Pattison and Mark Tait rounded the top mark in 4th. They later retired as they struggled with the lack of kick bars on the new boat. Meanwhile Mark Upside-Down had tacked off right and rounded well down the fleet and Archie Massey sailing with Damian Ash, was lashing his lowers which has parted company with the deck on his borrowed boat.

Two laps later, the wind had built to 26 knots and there was huge carnage at the newly laid top mark and gybe mark, thinning out the fleet at the front.

Towards the end of the third downwind leg, the leaders, Gilbert and Partington had both gybed back early to the leeward mark and in trying to do the double gybe into the leeward mark, both fell in. Massey took advantage of this to briefly take the lead. However Gilbert proved quicker upwind and soon was able to pass. And a pitch-pole down the 4th run for Massey turned it into a two-horse race.

Starting the final reaching legs Gilbert had pulled out a 100m lead using his superior upwind speed. However Partington taking the attitude that second is the first loser pushed hard down the first reach and was able to gybe inside Gilbert at the gybe mark, setting up what would
have been a photo finish. However moments later they did a huge pitch pole, allowing both Massey and Upton-Brown through to 2nd and 3rd. Mark can now banish his old nick-name to the history books after a surviving without a capsize in the 25 knot hayling bay chop.

Congratulations to Roger Gilbert and Ben McGrane for sailing a superb race, going fast upwind and staying in control down the bouncy runs.

Results: