RORC Race Reports

Everything to play for in the Final race of the season

Solent to Cherbourg Race

The final race of the RORC 2003 season began from the RYS Line at 18:30 on Friday 5th September with IRC 2 & 3, followed ten minutes later by IRC Super Zero, Zero & 1. The course took the fleet west out of the Solent on the ebb tide to leave the Needles Fairway Buoy to port and to cross the channel leaving the Fort de l’Ouest to port, finishing in the outer harbour, a distance of approximately 75 miles.

At the end of an extremely busy season there were lots of different reasons for doing the last race – booze dash to Cherbourg (RORC competitors are always ready for a party), or the final nail biting points to be gained in order to secure the overall points championship wins.

The first boat home was the Volvo 60, VENOM, owned by Windward Sailing and sailed by Derek Saunders at 0248 followed by the J145 ROXY 9 (Robert Davies) at 0353. The Commodore’s IC45 BOUNDER (Chris Little) closely followed at 0358. With the wind varying between south and west competitors reported that going a little west of the rhumb line had paid off.

On corrected time it was to be an overall win for ROXY 9. A delighted Robert Davies commented at the prizegiving in Cherbourg on how much he had enjoyed the RORC season. However his win in the Cherbourg race was not to be enough to win the Illingworth Cup for the IRC0 season’s championship. This will go to Chris Bull’s JAZZ who came second, in class, in the Cherbourg race.

In Class 1 the battle was to be between EXABYTE 2 (Shaun Frohlich) and FASTWAVE II (ACP Sailing sailed by Chris Brown and Peter Harding). On corrected time the First 40.7 Fastwave II beat IMX40 Exabyte 2 by 1 minute 49 seconds which was enough to secure the Emily Verger Plate for IRC1 season’s championship. Another IMX40 MAGNUM II (Andrew Pearce) successfully defended his third place in the season’s point championship having fought off CUTTING EDGE and LONGBOW.

Jonathan Goring’s JERONIMO (J109) won Class 2 on corrected time and secured the Grenade Goblet for the season’s points championship. A popular French entry PEN AZEN (Philllippe Delaporte) came second in the race in class on corrected time. WINSOME (Harry Heist) who has had a brilliant season with the RORC took third place in class which gave him second in the season’s points.

SIGRESS (David and Fiona Crawforth) a Sigma 33, sailed well to win the Jolie Brise Trophy for Class 3 in the Cherbourg race. BOOZEROO, Richard Butler’s Thomas 33 came second with Mark Jephcott’s SPIRIT OF DEFIANCE (Contessa 33) coming third. This was good enough to give SPIRIT OF DEFIANCE the Cowland Trophy for an overall class 3 win in the season’s points.




Chris Little’s BOUNDER won the RORC Trophy for IRM and secured third place in the season’s points. John Shepherd sailing his Ker 11.3 FAIR DO’S V came second in the Cherbourg race and second overall IRM for the season. The Trenchemer Challenge Cup for the IRM1 Class Championship was won by Piet Vroon’s TONNERRE DE BRESKENS.

James Stapleford sailing his Mumm 36, PANTHER, won IRM2 and the Arulas Plate for the season’s championship.


The RORC are indebted to Gilbert and Nicola Roger for providing the finishing line boat CANOPY 2. Finishing the season in style competitors enjoyed a great end of season party hosted by UNCL and the Yacht Club de Cherbourg.


FULL DETAILS OF OTHER SEASON’S POINTS WINNERS WILL BE PUBLISHED NEXT WEEK.

Solent to Cherbourg Race Trophies were presented after the race in the Yacht Club de Cherbourg. Medallions will be presented in the Clubhouse 20 St James’s Place, London at 19:30 on 23rd September. All crews welcome.

Cherbourg Trophy – BCT IRC Roxy 9 Robert Davies


RORC Trophy – IRC SZ & Z Roxy 9 Robert Davies

2nd Jazz Chris Bull

3rd Bounder Chris Little


Trophee des Deux Manches – IRC 1 Fastwave II ACP Sailing Sailed by Chris Brown

2nd Exabyte 2 Shaun Frohlich

3rd Magnum II Andrew Pearce

4th Scarlet Oyster Chris King Sailed by Lucy Howell



Yacht Club de France – IRC 2 Jeronimo Jonathan & Lisa Goring

2nd Pen Azen Philippe Delaporte

3rd Winsome Harry Heijst

4th Dansos David Lewis & Bob McPherson



Jolie Brise Trophy – IRC 3 Sigress David & Fiona Crawforth

2nd Boozeroo Richard Butler Sailed by Iain Fenna

3rd Spirit of Defiance Mark Jephcott



RORC Trophy – BCT IRM Bounder Chris Little

2nd Fair Do’s V John Shepherd


RORC Prize – 2 Handed Division Night & Day Pascal Loison


RORC Prize – Seahorse Division El Syd Ian McKinney