Over the late May Bank Holiday, Keith competed at the International Paint Poole Regatta, co-sponsored by ourselves at Stoneways Marine, aboard his Ecume de Mer ‘QT’. It was the perfect weekend for yacht racing with 137 entrants racing across 5 courses out in Poole Bay and inside the harbour. Day one made for a gentle start to racing with light condition mixed with glorious sunshine. The racing advantage was very much with lighter, nimbler designed yachts. Days two and three saw the sun combine with winds strengthening to over 20 knots and the fleets thoroughly shaken up.
Over the weekend, the Stoneways VPRS Championship was hosted as a competition within the competition. 27 yachts pitted against each other in two VPRS classes, with closely matched racing making for an exciting weekend for all. VPRS class 1 raced on a course just off Bournemouth Pier and VPRS class 2 raced in Studland Bay, with the spectacular backdrop of Old Harry’ Rock and the Purbeck Hills.
It was in the VPRS class 2 that ‘Stoneways QT’ competed with a spread of results in the top half of the scoreboard sealing a respectable 5th place in class overall out of 14 yachts.
Congratulations to Simon Flack’s ‘Stralende’ on his impressive run of first places securing overall victory in class 2 with a runaway net score of 8. Quinton Hall’s Y’-Qnot’ came in 2nd, with our very own George Beevor working the foredeck. The increasing winds clearly working in their favour on days two and three leading to a big jump up the leader board. In a very close 3rd place was Owain Peters ‘Rum Juggernaut’ who conversely to ‘Y-Qnot’ slipped down the fleet as the winds increased.
VPRS class 1 was dominated by what has become renowned as the BBQ boat! Ed Wilton’s ‘Who’s Next’ also had a near straight run of line honours, also achieving a score of 8 points and that’s whilst having the grill going, sailing around the course. They have become so well known for their mid race culinary skills, that they are now supported by Weber!
The rest of the class 1 fleet were involved in far closer racing with 2nd-6th being taken by different boats on each race, leaving everything to play for on the final day. With the final scores collated, 2nd place went to Mark Carey’s ‘Zorra4’ and 3rd place to Phill Cotton’s ‘Breeze’.
“The Stoneways VPRS Championship 2024 as part of the International Paint Poole Regatta was a great event with mostly close matched racing in various conditions, testing every crew’s skill and adaptability. We would like to say a huge thank you from the VPRS class to the combined yacht clubs of Poole for a fantastically organised race weekend and to all competitors who joined in and made the event what it was.” Keith Lovett, Stoneways Marine Managing Director
Off the water, social events at Poole Quay Yacht Haven, The Royal Motor Yacht Club, Poole Yacht Club and Parkstone Yacht Club brought together over 130 yacht crews to celebrate success, commiserate when it could have gone slightly better and generally let their hair down after long days afloat.
That’s what events like Poole Regatta and the Stoneways VPRS classes are all about. Bring together the boating community to participate in exhilarating, easy to access racing and having a lot of fun in the process.
To find out more about the VPRS class visit VPRS.org and to get a competitive quote for your boat insurance visit our boat insurance page.
You can also find out more about Poole Regatta here.
