The annual RORC IRC Championships were run from Cowes between June 29 and July 1. On the final day, a strong breeze from the south-west, 25 knots gusting to 30 knots, provided a dramatic conclusion to the event.

PRO Jamie Wilkinson opted for windward/leeward courses in the eastern Solent, choosing the shorter option so the two scheduled races could be completed before the tide turned to produce a big, confused sea state.

In Class Super Zero a close battle ensured between the top three TP52s. Island Fling came out the winner but all three were tied on points going into the final confrontation. It was then Colm Barrington's turn for a first. This was despite a broken rudder and boom aboard Flash Glove earlier in the regatta but the team never gave up, working two overnight shifts to get the boat back on the water again.

Glynn Williams, from Easton, sailing Wolf in Sheep's Clothing won the Swan 45 class by an enviable margin of 19 points from Vixen (Dick Weisman).

He said: "We have learnt a lot from the weekend, but have been preparing and training hard as a crew since March. I am proud of them and their boat handling, especially in the heavy conditions, was impeccable."

Other winners were Courrier du Coeur (Gerry Trentesaux - Beneteau First 47.7) in IRC0, Love Shack (Tim Spalding - Beneteau First 40.7) IRC1, Teng Tools (Eamon Crosbie - Ker 32) IRC2 and Xcellent (John Pollard - X99) IRC3.