Celebrities sail in charity race
Robert Condon and Simon Shaw romped to victory in the New York Yacht Club Challenge Cup, nearly overshadowing celebrities taking part in a charity race on the fifth day of racing at the Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week on Wednesday.
Those who were enjoying a spot of corporate sailing in the Solent will testify that there was breezes aplenty throughout the day as sailing race after sailing race kept the spectators entertained.
Once again, Niklas Zennström’s 72ft Rán got the better the George David’s 100ft Rambler on handicap.
Famous faces were ten-a-penny in the Artemis Challenge charity race around the Isle of Wight.
Ewan McGregor paired up with Alex Thomson for Hugo Boss, while newly married Zara Phillips and Natalie Pinkham joined Dee Caffari.
In the end, the race was won by Vendée Globe winner Vincent Riou in a time just 13 seconds slower than the race record. Chris Froy, Andrew Shaw, and Alan Roberts won in the X One Designs.
At the Olympic Games test event in Weymoutyh, meanwhile, Ben Ainslie extended his lead at the top of the Finn class to seven points.
Strong winds forced race officials to cancel racing in the Extreme Series for 40ft catamarans.