Date: 26 AUGUST 2011
From : Half Ton Class Europe
Author: Fiona Brown
Contact: fiona.brown@fionabrown.com +44 7711 718470
or
halftonclasseurope@telenet.be +32 497504059
Subject:
Michael Kershaw's Chimp Wins 2011 Half Ton Classic Cup supported by South Boats
Even a complete lack of wind and racing couldn't dampen the spirits of the Half Ton sailors on the final day of the 2011 Half Ton Classic Cup supported by South Boats. While they waited in vain for the wind to fill in they found other ways to entertain themselves including water fights, some dastardly piracy and crew kidnapping with ransom demands (the victim assures us she was very well treated by her captors), and even a beer race with the first boat to propel itself without engine to Half Ton Class Chairman Bert Jansen aboard Envol winning a case of Belgian beer.
Whilst there was disappointment at loosing the two final races it was clear that all felt their Champions were worthy winners and at the prize giving Hampshire's Michael Kershaw and the crew of Chimp received a rousing reception as they claimed the trophy. Helmed by Ireland's George Kenefick the crew also included Graeme Love, Ian Brown, Roger Merino and Ed Fitzgerald.
Speaking after racing Michael Kershaw was both thrilled and a little surprised to find himself holding the trophy noting that his crew selection came about as much through luck as judgement and that they had never sailed together as a crew before the first race of the championship. He praised the outstanding quality of the competition and thanked the members and staff of the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, Race Officer Rob Lamb and his team, the Half Ton Class and Richard and Ursula Hollis who led the Regatta Committee for what he described as a fantastic marker event for the class with so many boats. Certainly 38 boats is possibly the biggest gathering of Half Tonners ever, including the Half Ton Cups of the class's heyday in the 1980s.
 |
| Half Ton Classic Cup Day 4 |
Completing the podium line up were defending champion Philippe Pilate's French team aboard General Tapioca, a 1978 Berret, and Concorde, the 1989 Gautier design, owned by Francis Marshall from Cornwall. The battle for third between Concorde, Tim and David Cunliffe's Insatiable and Robbie Tregear's Per Eilsa had been fierce and Francis Marshall was thrilled to receive his third prize having beaten both boats by just 1.7 points. Insatiable claimed fourth on count-back with Per Elisa fifth.
In the Production Boat Division the winner was Francois Michelin's Chani, one of Ron Holland's wonderful Golden Shamrocks. In second place was the SJ32 Fletcher Lynd, owned by Fredric Denis, and Michael Langhan's Albin Ballad Strolch came third.
There were also plenty of humorous prizes including a bucket and spade for Sibelius who went aground on Ryde Sands, a No Parking sign for Red Cloud who took up temporary residence on one of the marks, and a Best Party Games book for Hullabaloo XV who were the last the leave the bar every night! Special prizes were also awarded to General Tapioca, Ian Van Burn's Fantasy and Toni Stuschek and Janne Tulokas' Blues in recognition of having competed in all five editions of the revival Half Ton Classic Cup.
Arguably one of the most important prizes of the entire event is the Half Ton True Spirit Trophy, which is awarded not to the winning team, but to the team that best represents the true spirit of camaraderie and competition in the Half Ton Classic Class. The members of the fleet elect the winner and by a massive number of votes the 2011 recipient was confirmed as Jean-Benoit Boels' Envol crewed by Diego Boels, Lionel Coquelet, Bert Jansen, Olivier Michel, Adrien Michele and Tom Jansen. At 11 years old Tom Jansen was also the youngest competitor and it was a lovely sight to see him proudly holding aloft the keeper prize, a unique canvas printed photograph by local photographer Hamo Thornycroft.
Class Chairman Bert Jansen concluded proceedings by once again thanking the 38 teams from seven nations for making the trip to Cowes and invited them to join him for the 2013 edition of the Half Ton Classic Cup, which will be held in France at a venue to be confirmed.
FULL RESULTS
2011 HALF TON CLASSIC CUP BLOG
PHOTO GALLERY
FACEBOOK
YOUTUBE
- Ends -
Notes For Editors
In August 2003 the city of Nieuwpoort welcomed once again an international sailing regatta. It is indeed in Belgium that the famous Half Ton Cup made her comeback on the international yachting scene, after an absence of more than 10 years from the international yachting scene.
Some 25 fine yachts and their crews from all over Europe sailed, sang & partied together in what will undoubtedly be remembered as a fantastic sailing week.
Due to the success of the regatta it was decided that the time was right to preserve this kind of sailing and start a proper owners association. The Half Ton Class Europe emerged shortly after to ensure the cooperation of all European Halftonner-related events. The founding idea of the class is to encourage cost-effective, fun & affordable sailing.
A boat is considered as a Half Tonner if it fulfills the following requirements :
- It has been designed and built as a prototype one-off in the period between January 1967 and December 1994.
- It it has been once eligible to participate at an edition of IOR Half Ton Cup.
- No alterations have been made to the hull of the boat, except keel and rudder.
- Moreover, every production boat derived from the hull of a prototype one-off halftonner will also be considered as a halftonner
The 5th Half Ton Classics Cup is supported by title sponsor South Boats and supporting sponsors Best Water Technology, Spinlock, Wight Vodka, One Sails and Euro Car Parks.
Local supporters include Goddards Brewery, Red Funnel/Isle of Wight Ferries, Shepards Wharf Marina, Kingston Marine Services and Ocean World/World Leisurewear.
