A rare southerly breeze greeted the seven yachts competing in the RBVIYC’s annual Governor’s Cup on Saturday morning. As the fleet started the first race, it became clear that the windward mark was not quite directly upwind of the start line. The light breeze was gradually clocking around to the southwest which meant that most the fleet were able to sail directly to the windward mark without tacking.

Photo courtesy of Guy Eldridge.

The downwind leg back to the start line became a reach which suited some but not all! Dave West’s Jurakan reveled in the conditions and stretched away from the rest of the fleet. After the second lap, the committee boat managed to relocate the windward mark which squared up the course. Jurakan took the race followed by Luxury Girl with the Governor on board Lime, Pipe Dream and Rushin’ Rowlette. In the cruising class Diva the flying toothpick, got the better of RIP helmed by Commodore Simon Woods, crewed by young KATS sailors.

With the windward mark now off Nanny Cay, race two got underway in a dying but steady breeze. Jurakan showed the fleet that the first race was no fluke, winning by a comfortable margin. Lime managed to steal second place from the Governor’s team and Rushin’ swapped places with Pipe Dream to take over 4th spot overall. Robin Tattersall, looking cultured and serene, sailed to another victory in the cruising class.

A lively prize-giving back at the clubhouse saw the prizes donated by the Governor’s office handed around with Dave West and Robin T happily sharing the perpetual trophy for 2010. Commodore Simon was awarded a bottle of rum for his spectacular starting technique— mimicking a Thames barge and catching the racing fleet unawares.