Half Ton Classics Cup 2025

The fleet is passing Sandown and are starting to head offshore as the tide begins to turn flood. The viz is very low and we can barely see them now but it looks like the wind may have dropped at little.

The fleet is whizzing down the back of the island. We’ve just seen them fetching thru Ventnor. The viz is lousy and we’ve constant drizzle but they are having a great race with the pack still closely bunched.

The fleet is making great time and passed St Cat’s at approx 11.15

The Half Ton Classic Cup fleet started their Round The Isle of Wight Race on time at 07.30 this morning. Fortunately the overnight rain stopped just before the start and the boats got underway from the Royal Corinthian line in a decent reaching breeze so they should be making good time down the Solent. Your roving reporters are just setting off in the car to catch up with them and will update you as soon as they can. In the meantime here are a few snaps from the start to keep you entertained:-

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For the 38 strong fleet assembled in Cowes for the 2011 Half Ton Classic Cup, supported by South Boats, today’s opening three races were confirmation that the Half Ton Class continues to go from strength to strength.  Throughout each of the day’s three races the fleet was tightly packed with plenty of close quarters drama keeping both the sailors and the spectators on the edge of their seats.

The entry list represents a true cross section of the original Half Ton fleet with the oldest boat being the 1977 Davidson designed Waverider, owned by A Delvaus of Belgium, a double winner of the Half Ton Cup in 1978 and 1979 when skippered by Laurie Davidson himself.  The newest boat in the fleet is the 1992 Caccerelli designed Per Elisa, owned by Britain’s Robbie Tregear, which was the last of the grand prix Half Tonners ever built, launching in 1992.

Racing was initially postponed for two and a half hours whilst the fleet waited for wind but the wait was worth it with a nice 10-12 knots from 135 degrees filling in around lunchtime.  The Race Committee, led by Race Officer Rob Lamb, was able to set up shop on the Hill Head Plateau and with judicious use of a relatively short windward leeward course they achieved three races that tested the teams to the full.

In the opening race Half Ton Class Chairman and defending champion Philippe Pilate’s General Tapioca took an early lead on the water and on corrected time and despite the many attempts by Francois Michelin’s Chani and David Cullen’s King One they held their lead through until the finish.  On corrected time General Tapioca won by 34 seconds from Chani with King One taking third by just three seconds.

Race two went to Sibelius, owned by Jean-Philippe Cau who also took control of the race early on and then refused to relinquish their lead.   Michael Kershaw’s Chimp finished 57 seconds behind them with Tim and David Cunliffe’s Insatiable three seconds behind that in third place.  General Tapioca had to settle for fourth, just nine seconds behind Insatiable.

In race three General Tapioca came to the fore again, this time winning by ten seconds from Chimp with Denzil Williams’ Santa Evita third and Robbie Tregear’s Per Elisa fourth.

In the overall standings General Tapioca now leads the fleet by two points from Chimp who counts 8 points, with Sibelius third on 14 points, Chia fourth on 22 points and Insatiable fifth on 24 points.

The event also features a special division for Production Boats, which this year features two Hustler SJ30s, two MG HS 30s, a Golden Shamrock, an Albin Ballad, an X95 and a Hustler SJ32.  Today’s top performer in the Production Division was Francois Michelin’s Golden Shamrock Chiani, which won the first two races and finished second in race three.  Richard Hollis’s X95 Crakajax now lies in second place thanks to a 3, 3, 1 score line with Frederic Denis’ Fletcher Lynd, a Hustler SJ30 two points behind in third.

After racing Mike Relling, who is sailing aboard Insatiable with David and Tim Cunliffe, commented on the incredible quality of the racing.  “It was very close and I think the good thing is that among the top ten boats there are only seconds between each place so mark roundings, boat handling, all of the little details are very, very important.  I think that says a lot about the Half Ton Class, the success of the class and the success of IRC.  The ratings seem to be pretty fair, and like any good regatta if you sail well you will do well, if you sail badly you will do badly and there’s nowhere to hide.  I think that makes it a fantastic event.”

Tomorrow the fleet will be racing around the Isle of Wight.  The start is scheduled for 07.30 from the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club start line off Cowes and the fleet will round the Island anti-clockwise.  With a forecast for moderate to fresh winds, a double points weighting and a no discard on the score for the race we can anticipate another exciting day.  The regatta continues until Friday 26 August with up to twelve races scheduled.

FULL RESULTS
2011 HALF TON CLASSIC CUP BLOG
PHOTO GALLERY
FACEBOOK
 YOUTUBE

The 5^th Half Ton Classics Cup is supported by title sponsor South Boats and supporting sponsors Best Water Technology, Spinlock, Wight Vodka, One Sails and Euro Car Parks. 

Local supporters include Goddards Brewery, Red Funnel/Isle of Wight Ferries, Shepards Wharf Marina, Kingston Marine Services and Ocean World/World Leisurewear. 

La plus important flotte de Half  jamais réunie(38 bateaux ), présent a Cowes pour la Half Ton Classic Cup 2011, supportée par South Boats, a ouvert aujourd,hui cette regatte par trois courses. Celles ci ont confirmé le niveau croissant de la classe. Chacunes des trois phases de regatte ont impressionnées tant les regattiers que les spectateurs.

La regatte d’ouverture a été remportée par le half du president de la classe, General Tapioca, malgré les attaques succesives de Chani ( Francois Michelin) et de King One (David Cullen). Ces trois la ont mené la flotte jusqu’ la fin pour ,enfin, voir Chani terminer 34 secondes derrriere le General. King One quand a lui finira en 3 eme position avec seuleument 3 secondes d’ecart.

La deuxieme manche fut remportée par Sibelius ( Jean-Philippe Cau) qui a reussi à conserver son avantage acqueri au debut de cette seconde manche.  Celui ci a ete tallone de pres par Chimp et Insatiable qui se disputeront la deuxieme place jusqu’au bout. Insatiable devra se contenter de la troisieme place. General Tapioca devra quant a lui se contenter de la 4 eme place après une avarie de genois.

Revenant en force, General Tapioca remporte la troisieme manche, poursuivi de 10 secondes par Chimp. Santa Evita ( Denzil William) finira en troisieme position suivi de Per Elisa ( Robbie Tregear).

Au classement general provisoire, General Tapioca est premier avec deux points d’avance sur Chimp, suivi par Sibelius (14 points), Chia (22 points) et Insatiable (24 points).

Dans la serie des bateaux de production contenant 8 bateaux: deux Hustler SJ30s, deux MG HS 30s, un Golden Shamrock, un Albin Ballad, un X95 et un Hustler Sj32. Golden Shamrock (Francois Michelin) prend la premiere position du classement devant les X95 Crakajax (Richerd Hollis) et le SJ30 Fletcher Lynd (Frederic Denis).

Demain  la flotte part pour une course autour de l’ile de Wight dans le sens inverse des aiguilles d’une montre. Cette etape , promettant de nombreux rebomdissements, sera courru dans un petit temps avec un depart donne a 7h30 sur la Ligne du Royal Corinthian Yacht Club.

L’ Half ton Classic Cup prendra fin le vendredi 26 aout.
D’ici la: Enjoy!

RESULTATS  

2011 HALF TON CLASSIC CUP BLOG

PHOTO GALLERY

FACEBOOK

 YOUTUBE

Le 5ème tasse Half Ton Classics Cup est soutenue par South Boats ade commanditaire de titre et les commanditaires de soutien Best Water Technology, Spinlock, Wight Vodka, One Sails and Euro Car Parks. 

Les défenseurs locaux incluent Goddards Brewery, Red Funnel/Isle of Wight Ferries, Shepards Wharf Marina, Kingston Marine Services and Ocean World/World Leisurewear. 

A full selection of photos is now available to view on www.fionabrown.com. Below are some highlights from today’s racing.

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The RC are doing a great job of rattling through these races and we’re now in sequence for race three, the final race of the day. Race 2 results at http://www.rcyc.co.uk shortly.