30 knots on the schnoz

French boats excel in RORC's Morgan Cup race to Jersey

Competitors in the 2007 Cowes to Jersey race were not going to enjoy “Flaming June” weather but instead faced a wet blustery SW5/6 for the 140 miles race to Jersey.

This was not going to be an easy race but with his normal flair Gery Trentesaux and the crew of Courrier Du Coeur(First 44.7) won the 2007 Morgan Cup. There was French success in Class Zero, 1, 2 and 3 too and a Dutch win in Super Zero with the Brits taking the two handed class.

Starting at 1930 from the RYS line Cowes, 116 boats headed east leaving the Solent via the Forts. Trinity House buoy and Snowden had to be left to starboard and this caused several boats a problem however the majority did come back to exonerate themselves although not everyone! With an overcast sky and a South westerly force 2/3 some tried to hold spinnakers as they headed out of the Solent.

The forecast was for the breeze to veer into the west during the evening, freeing off the boats. This did not happen as predicted and the fleet had a hard beat all the way to Les Hanois on the western edge of Guernsey, at times gusting close to 30kts.

Many boats in this race were anxious to add to their qualification mileage for the Rolex Fastnet Race. With a cap of 300 boats on the race this year (there is already a waiting list) qualification will be vital. Inhospitable conditions resulted in a number retirements. Causes ranged from crews suffering from seasickness, sail damage, lack of time and for one boat a complete loss of rig.

At 14:43 on Saturday the Volvo 60, V Project sailed by Project Racing Team crossed the line of St Helier. This was her first outing under new ownership and she sufferd from mainsail problems that had slowed her down. V Projectwas followed by Piet Vroon’s Lutra 56 Formidable at 15:09. The rest of the fleet gradually came into Jersey throughout Saturday and Saturday night with the last boat logged in at 0705 on Sunday morning.

Many boats crossed the finishing line and then went straight home so the race team were unable to get the “real” story of the race. If you would like to send an account of your race to the RORC click here.

A member of the crew of Fair Do’s commented: “The beat was pretty relentless with biggest winds gusting 30. We finished mid morning but the slower boats have had a harder time of it with a big struggle to get down to Les Hanois, taking two foul tides”.

The RORC would like to remind all competitors that if you retire you MUST inform the Race Office or Portland Coastguard numbers are always given in the Sailing Instructions. To retire and not report it is inconsiderate and can cause considerable trouble and expense and you may well be refused entry into further races.

If you retired but were intending to use the miles for Rolex Fastnet Qualification you must write (no phone) to the RORC giving full details.

The RORC would like to thank the St Helier Yacht Club for all their assistance with the finish of this race and in particular Andrew Le Quesne and Steve Manning who together with RORC members Jim Soutar, Anthony Davey and Paul Skinner manned the finishing boat Spirit of Variety.

The trophies for the Morgan Cup race belong to the Royal Thames Yacht Club and will be presented at their prizegiving dinner on Tuesday 13 November 2007.

RORC medallions will be presented at the RORC Clubhouse on Tuesday 19 June at 1930. All crews will be welcome.

Trophy and Medallion winners

MORGAN CUP BCT IRC COURRIER DU COEUR Gery Trentesaux
KNIGHTSBRIDGE CUP IRC 0 COURRIER DU COEUR Gery Trentesaux
QUEENBOROUGH CUP IRC 1 PEN AZEN (J122) Philippe Delaporte
CHARLES BALL CHALLENGE CUP IRC 2 GROUPE PARTOUCHE (JPK960) Christophe Coatnoan
WARSASH CUP IRC 3 MAJOR TOM (Dufour 34) Fabrice Tropres
COLIN CAMPBELL CHALLENGE CUP BCT IRM ALICE 2 (Farr45) Simon Henning
RORC SALVER First boat home V PROJECT (Volvo 60)Project Racing Team
RORC PRIZE - 2 handed class PSIPSINA (HOD35) John Loden

Medallions
1st Super Zero FORMIDABLE (Lutra 56) Piet Vroon

1st Zero COURRIER DU COEUR (First 47.7) Gery Trentesaux
2nd Zero JB 3 (J133) Charles Ivil
l3rd Zero FAIR DO’S V11 (Ker46) John Shepherd
4th Zero JEROMINO (J133) Jonathan Goring

1st Class 1 PEN AZEN (J122) Philippe Delaporte
2nd Class 1 PUMA LOGIC (Reflex 38) Sailing Logic - Philipe Falle
3rd Class 1 JAGUAR LOGIC (Reflex 38) Sailing Logic - Andy Greenwood
4th Class META BARON (IMX40) Shaun Hurst and Patrick Fitzgibbon
5th Class 1 PLAYING AROUND (First 40.7)Peter Robson

1st Class 2 GROUPE PARTOUCHE (JPK9.60) Christophe Coatnoan
2nd Class FOGGY DEW (JPK9.60) Noel Racine
3rd Class 2 LA BALEINE IV (Dufour 40) Rene Dupont
4th Class 2 EXILE TOO (X35) Nicolas De La Fourniere
5th Class 2 PSIPSINA (HOD35) John Loden

1st Class 3 MAJOR TOM (Dufour 34) Fabrice Tropes
2nd Class 3 FESTINA LENTE (Sigma 38) Philip Meakins
3rd Class 3 PERSEPHONE OF LONDON (Sigma 38) Nigel Goodhew
4th Cass 3 BEEFEATER (Sigma 38) Chris Ruston
5th Class 3 SCARLET JESTER (SJ320) Jamie Muir

1st IRM Class ALICE 2 (Farr 45) Simon Henning
1st Sigma 38 FESTINA LENTE (Sigma 38) Philip Meakins
1st Seahorse Division DESPERADO OF COWES (Swan 65) David Bongers