The results are in for the  Fast Cat Race Round the Isle of Wight which returned this year with great expectation and a number of top UK sailors.

Weather reports looked good and the Race was on, however the Gods were against us and a force seven with rain started the day at 9.00am of the Race day, however a window appeared in the weather but with forecasted strong winds up to 30 Knots the shortened course was sailed (back of the Isle of Wight in a force seven is not the place to be).

A short 20 mile Race to Hurst Castle (just before the Needles) and back to Hill Head was the course. This proved to be a very competitive race with close racing up the mainland shore fighting the tide all the way, with one or two coming in too close ,Menno Vercouteren F18 breaking  his daggerboard and retiring early on, the weather took its toll on the fleet with heavy gusts causing many retirements. 15 boats did not make the shortened course but had made many bar room experiences.

Sarah  and Adam Younger had to take avoiding action to miss a yacht and pitched their Tiger in,  breaking their boom and having to retire (thanks to Will Sunnucks who sorted out a new boom from a spinnaker pole, they saiedl back to Gurnard) 

The Tek Kat pulled out early into the race with outhaul and traveller sheet failure, this left the VX 20 and Tornado’s to fight for line honors, Kevin Turner and Pete Jary in the Tornado  chasing hard on the heels of the VX 20 of Wonter Samama and Paul Buyse, the Narca Infusion of Will Sunnucks and Grant Piggott followed by the Capricorns of Stuart Gummer and James Power. Mixing it up was Nigel Northrope and Matt Elles in their Hobie Tigers.

With the beat ending at Hurst Castle the blast back under kite would be a quick return to the finish line. The wind now picked up, which made for a interesting finish. With a force six and gusting this took its toll on the fleet Grant Piggott ended his race after being up the top of the fleet. Many more were force to retire.

VX 20 pulled out a good enough lead to secure the overall win followed by the Tornado of Pete Jary and Tim Roden on the water but the F18’s secured the second place on SCHR , Will Sunnucks and Simon Farren came second on the Nacra Infusion with Stuart Gummer and Paul Overton on the Capricorn coming third. 

 See full results Fast Cat Race 2008