Seldén Half Ton Classics Cup 2026

After the prize giving we spoke to the 2011 Half Ton Classic Cup Champions

Well known Cowes photographer Hamo Thornycroft, who kindly donated the beautiful one off canvas print of the winner of the Half Ton True Spirit Trophy, has posted a fantastic gallery of photos from the competition.  Click here to check them out.

L’équipage de Chimp gagne la 2011 Half Ton Classic Cup Soutenu Près South Boats

Malgré le manque de vent et aucune course courue ce jour, l’esprit des concurrents Half Tonner était conservé. Pendant qu’ils attendaient en vain que le vent monte, ils ont trouvé d’autres façons de s’amuser par des batailles d’eau ou par un kidnapping improvisé ainsi qu’une demande de rançon. L’équipière captive nous rassure, ayant été bien traité par ses ravisseurs. On a aussi assisté à une régate improvisée (au moteur) en vue de remporter une bière à celui qui rejoignait le plus rapidement le bateau belge Envol.

Même si les deux dernières manches n’ont pas eu lieu, la première place de Chimp, skippé par Michael Kershaw, était assurée. A la barre l’irlandais George Kennefick équipé par Graeme Love, Ian Brown, Roger Merino et Ed Fitzgerald.

Témoignant après les courses, Michael Kershaw était à la fois ravi et surpris de remporter le trophée et notait que sa sélection d’équipage était chanceuse d’autant que c’est la première fois qu’ils naviguent ensemble. Il souligne le haut niveau des régates et remercie l’équipe organisatrice de RCYC, le comité de course Rob Lamb, la classe Half Tonner et termine en disant que cet évènement était fantastique et a marqué la classe par le nombre important de participants. En effet, jamais une Half Ton Cup, même dans les années 80, n’avait rassemblé autant de bateaux !

Half Ton Classic Cup Day 4

Pour compléter le podium, le champion précédent Philippe Pilate à bord de Général Tapioca (un Berret de 1978) et Concorde (un plan Gautier de 1989), propriété de Francis Marshall de Cornouaille. Pour cette troisième place, la bataille était intense avec Insatiable et Per Elisa, respectivement 4eme et 5eme.

Dans les bateaux de production, le gagnant est François Michelin sur Chani (un Golden Shamrocks). En seconde place, le Sj32 Fletcher Lynd de Frederic Denis et en troisième position Michael Langhan sur Strolch.

La proclamation des résultats fut ponctuée par quelques touches humoristiques. On retiendra que Sibelius a reçu une pelle et un seau de plage en souvenir de leur échouage, Red Cloud a reçu une plaque « No parking » pour avoir accroché une bouée, etc ..

Un prix spécial fut aussi remis aux trois bateaux qui ont participés à la totalité des cinq  Half Ton Classic Cup (Général Tapioca, Fantasy, Blues).

Half Ton True Spirit trophée :

Un prix très important lors des Half Ton Classic Cup est le « Half Ton True Spirit Trophy» décerné à l’équipage qui représente le mieux l’esprit et la camaraderie de la classe. Ce prix attribué par les coureurs eux-mêmes a été remis cette année ( avec une large majorité) à Envol. Skippé par J-B Boels et équipé par Diego Boels, Lionel Coquelet, Bert Janssen, Olivier Michel, Hadrien Michel et Tom Janssen qui est aussi, du haut de ses 11 ans, le benjamin de l’épreuve.

Le président de la classe, Bert Janssen, a clôturé l’évènement en remerciant les 38 équipages venant de 7 pays différents pour avoir fait le déplacement jusqu’à Cowes et les a invités à participer à la Half Ton Classic Cup 2013 qui se déroulera plus que probablement en France.

RESULTATS

2011 HALF TON CLASSIC CUP BLOG

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Michael Kershaw’s Chimp Wins 2011 Half Ton Classic Cup supported by South Boats

Even a complete lack of wind and racing couldn’t dampen the spirits of the Half Ton sailors on the final day of the 2011 Half Ton Classic Cup supported by South Boats.  While they waited in vain for the wind to fill in they found other ways to entertain themselves including water fights, some dastardly piracy and crew kidnapping with ransom demands (the victim assures us she was very well treated by her captors), and even a beer race with the first boat to propel itself without engine to Half Ton Class Chairman Bert Jansen aboard Envol winning a case of Belgian beer.

Whilst there was disappointment at loosing the two final races it was clear that all felt their Champions were worthy winners and at the prize giving Hampshire’s Michael Kershaw and the crew of Chimp received a rousing reception as they claimed the trophy.  Helmed by Ireland’s George Kenefick the crew also included Graeme Love, Ian Brown, Roger Merino and Ed Fitzgerald.

Speaking after racing Michael Kershaw was both thrilled and a little surprised to find himself holding the trophy noting that his crew selection came about as much through luck as judgement and that they had never sailed together as a crew before the first race of the championship.  He praised the outstanding quality of the competition and thanked the members and staff of the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, Race Officer Rob Lamb and his team, the Half Ton Class and Richard and Ursula Hollis who led the Regatta Committee for what he described as a fantastic marker event for the class with so many boats.  Certainly 38 boats is possibly the biggest gathering of Half Tonners ever, including the Half Ton Cups of the class’s heyday in the 1980s.

Half Ton Classic Cup Day 4

Completing the podium line up were defending champion Philippe Pilate’s French team aboard General Tapioca, a 1978 Berret, and Concorde, the 1989 Gautier design, owned by Francis Marshall from Cornwall.  The battle for third between Concorde, Tim and David Cunliffe’s Insatiable and Robbie Tregear’s Per Eilsa had been fierce and Francis Marshall was thrilled to receive his third prize having beaten both boats by just 1.7 points.  Insatiable claimed fourth on count-back with Per Elisa fifth.

In the Production Boat Division the winner was Francois Michelin’s Chani, one of Ron Holland’s wonderful Golden Shamrocks.  In second place was the SJ32 Fletcher Lynd, owned by Fredric Denis, and Michael Langhan’s Albin Ballad Strolch came third.

There were also plenty of humorous prizes including a bucket and spade for Sibelius who went aground on Ryde Sands, a No Parking sign for Red Cloud who took up temporary residence on one of the marks, and a Best Party Games book for Hullabaloo XV who were the last the leave the bar every night!  Special prizes were also awarded to General Tapioca, Ian Van Burn’s Fantasy and Toni Stuschek and Janne Tulokas’ Blues in recognition of having competed in all five editions of the revival Half Ton Classic Cup.

Arguably one of the most important prizes of the entire event is the Half Ton True Spirit Trophy, which is awarded not to the winning team, but to the team that best represents the true spirit of camaraderie and competition in the Half Ton Classic Class.  The members of the fleet elect the winner and by a massive number of votes the 2011 recipient was confirmed as Jean-Benoit Boels’ Envol crewed by Diego Boels, Lionel Coquelet, Bert Jansen, Olivier Michel, Adrien Michele and Tom Jansen.  At 11 years old Tom Jansen was also the youngest competitor and it was a lovely sight to see him proudly holding aloft the keeper prize, a unique canvas printed photograph by local photographer Hamo Thornycroft.

Class Chairman Bert Jansen concluded proceedings by once again thanking the 38 teams from seven nations for making the trip to Cowes and invited them to join him for the 2013 edition of the Half Ton Classic Cup, which will be held in France at a venue to be confirmed.

FULL RESULTS

2011 HALF TON CLASSIC CUP BLOG

PHOTO GALLERY

FACEBOOK 

YOUTUBE

Here are some snaps from this evening’s prize giving.

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Click here to view Fi’s full photo gallery

12.40 – With great regret Race Officer Rob Lamb has been forced to abandon any hope of racing today and has sent the fleet home. Michael Kershaw’s Chimp is therefore declared the 2011 Half Ton Classic Cup winner with Philippe Pilate’s General Tapioca second and Insatiable, owned by Tim and David Cunliffe third.

The boats are now heading ashore and the Prize Giving is scheduled from 3pm. We’ll bring you further updates from the prize giving.