News

Official Press Release

The winning crew of the third Anglo Irish Bank Regatta 2008 was Hadley Homes with a score of 7 points – having recorded an impressive 2nd, 1st, 1st, 3rd and 4th. In second place was Musto with 8 points, and third was Anglo Irish Bank, 11 points.

The popular regatta also included all-female teams from Land Aid and Helical Bar: racing was tight between the two crews with Land Aid finishing 8th overall, just one place ahead of Helicalet’s.

Event summary

The annual Anglo Irish Bank Regatta for the Property Industry took place on June 9 and 10 in glorious sunshine and light winds. Some 400 weekend sailors descended on The Race Village in Cowes Yacht Haven to take part in this fiercely contested event. Full race commentary was delivered to those enjoying the event hospitality by well known solo yachtsman Nigel King.

Crews took to the water in the Bank’s fleet of Beneteau First 40.7’s for a brief practice session before racing began. An initial lack of wind did not dampen enthusiasm as crews set about creating their own entertainment: EMG took some out for RIB rides while the Helicalet’s conducted their own dance class in Anticipation’s cockpit.

A sea breeze did finally kick in, and the race committee re-located the fleet to Leep Spit as racing got underway in perfect champagne sailing conditions.

Principle Race Officer Tony Blatchford and his team set the perfect racecourse, cumulating in a spectacular spinnaker run along Cowes Green. Competition was fierce throughout the fleet: the top four boats lead at some point but Musto crossed the finish line first, with Hadley Homes second: Capella Estates, third; and Anglo Irish Bank, fourth. Only 13 seconds separated these boats.

The second tussle of the day was between the two all-female crews. Helicalet’s triumphed in 11th place, closely followed by Land Aid in 12th.

All crews later returned to Cowes Yacht Haven for the “Rock the Dock” party. Anglo Irish Bank donated four VIP tickets to the Isle of Wight festival, which raised £1,000 for Land Aid under the auctioneer’s hammer of Jason Ludlow, of EMG.

Day 2

Day two brought sunshine and a light northerly wind. The race committee set a windward/leeward course cross-tide in about 6 knots of breeze. The first start of the day resulted in a general recall with competitive skippers pushing hard. This was quickly abated by the committee flying the I flag and the second start was near perfect with only a few boats over the line. Tiger Developments failed to go back over the line and was disqualified and lost her second place result.

Hadley Homes claimed first place; Musto, second; and Land Aid third. There were four races in the afternoon. The top of the leader board was tight with Anglo Irish Bank winning the final race, ahead of Musto. Hadley Homes secured overall victory with a 2nd, 1st, 1st, 3rd and 4th. Taking into account the one allowed discard, their winning score was 7 points. Second place on 8 points was Musto, with Anglo Irish Bank third on 11 points.

Post racing celebrations took place at the Yacht Haven with the traditional Anglo Irish Bank celebration of Guinness and Oysters. Jon Siddall, of Land Aid, was presented later with a £24,700 cheque raised through the event.

2009 Event

The 2009 regatta will take place on June 8 and 9 and we anticipate a fleet of 30 boats. Crews interested in competing should contact the regatta organisers EMG on 0845 0742626.

Anglo Irish Bank Regatta
8-9th June 2009