Rupert and John Mander make it four wins in a row in 2007.

Rupert Mander, crewed by his father John won the Flying Fifteen class for the fourth consecutive time at Cowes in the fleet’s Diamond Jubilee year. Nine visiting Flying Fifteens joined the local fleet to dry sail from the Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club to contest the daily trophies sailing around the cans in the demanding wind and tidal conditions of the Solent.

Rupert and John Mander

Rupert and John in ‘Men Behaving Badly’ (3779) led the fleet from start to finish on the first race. Their previous Cowes Week knowledge proved to be crucial as they tacked very close to the ‘Green’ shore to avoid the tide strong to take a commanding lead by the first mark. Mark Powell and Robert Godwin from Hayling Island SC sailing Robert’s father’s ‘Tempus Fugit Duo’ (3625) for the first time were just able to keep ahead of local boys Gavin Tappenden and Bob Preston in ‘FFlux’ (3852) at the finish line.

The tricky light wind conditions on Sunday saw dramatic changes in position throughout the race as the fleet struggled in the stong tide. Gavin and Bob’s local knowledge of the notorious ‘Naggers’ wind shifts off Old Castle point paid off as ‘FFlux’ took the line honours just ahead of Mark and Robert with ‘Men behaving badly’ finishing third.

Monday’s near perfect conditions again saw ‘Men behaving badly’ romp away from the start to show the fleet a clean pair of heels all the way to the finish. However, behind them places were hotly contested throughout the race with Roger Palmer in Saffina (3615), a previous FF Cowes week winner, finishing second, ‘Tempus Fugit Duo’ third and ‘Black’ (3865) helmed by Nick Clark, also a previous Cowes Week winner fourth. Rupert and John won both the Tuesday and Wednesday races giving them an unassailable lead for the week.

Postponement after postponement set the tone for Thursday with racing commencing mid afternoon as a northerly breeze set in.  ‘Tempus Fugit Duo’  and ‘Men behaving Badly’ duelled all the way round the short course with Mark and Robert taking line honours just ahead of Rupert and John with Flux third.

The beer tent and bars benefited on Friday as the Solent turned mill pond for the day causing cancellation of racing.

A good breeze on Saturday gave the Fifteens exciting reaches for the final race of the week. Once again line honours went to ‘Men behaving badly’ with ‘FFlux’ second and Gil and Mike in ‘FFuraha’ (3891) taking their second third place of the week.

Not only did ‘Men behaving badly’ win the FF class they came third overall in the ‘White Group’. Mark and Robert also achieved third overall in the ‘Skandia Young skippers’ series for the week – a great achievement.

Please click here for overall results.       Please click here for photos.