Century Cup Trophy 2022

Published 10:25 on 16 Aug 2022

13th August 2022 - Century Cup Trophy- Itchenor.

Each year, Itchenor hosts the Century Cup where the combined helm/crew age must exceed 100 years. Competing this year were 9 Modern Rules boats plus Paul Armitage and Peter Drexhage visiting in their beautiful Classic.

With some old faces from the past and some current crews (who now qualify!) there was a range of ages from 145 ( Philip McDanell and John Roberson (Robo) ) to 102 (Dominic van Essen and Simona Saccani ). There are now some regular Century cup competitors, Andy FitzGerald and Bruce Grant 128 yrs and Douglas Pattison and Bob Turner 121 yrs. Two current 14 helms teamed up for the event  (Andrew Penman and Charles Duchesne- 108 yrs ) with a strategy to change roles throughout the race.

Julian Pearson had teamed up with former crew Karen Armitage (122 years) who last sailed in a 14 back in 2001, pre T-foil and in the days when the helm took the mainsheet. Martin Jones was also back with his former crew Andy Rice (116 years).

Ex 14 sailor Roddy Bridge, together with Caroline Gosford had the enormous challenge of setting a course in 30 plus degrees heat and a veering Easterly breeze. After an initial postponement they managed to set the start at the Western end of the Gallon Reach. With high water springs on our side, the team delivered a beat towards Itchenor, a run and a long, tight reach up the Emsworth Channel to Channel. It was then another beat and a reach back to a Gallon Line finish.

After a clean start Fitzgerald/Grant took an early lead followed by Pattison/Turner and Jones/Rice. These places held around the first mark with new class members Philip and Tash Gladman (103 years) nipping at their heels in 4th. The first short run had many place changes as the pressure gusts came through on the strong flood tide.  At the Leeward mark Fitzgerald/Grant, who had slightly over stood due to a gust, just popped out beneath Pattison/Turner to recapture their lead. The next long 2 sail reach saw the fleet expand and consolidate positions as the gusts came through. By the next turning mark however, the fleet were very close.  Immediate hoisting of the kites in marginal pressure kept the fleet close. At this point in the race the Easterly Breeze was veering around and beginning to establish to a solid 10-12 knots from the South East. This caused the reach to get tighter and tighter. With the worry of hitting Thorney, many crews had to drop the Kite early.

The battle at the front of the fleet remained. Fitzgerald/Grant and Jones/Rice showed that no expertise had been lost, holding the tight reach the longest. Kite issues during the tight drop around the forestay saw Fitzgerald/Grant briefly stop at the leeward mark. This allowed Jones/Rice to lead followed by Pattison/Turner. Martin Jones and Andy Rice then lead the race to the finish with Pattison/Turner keeping the pressure on, with the two sail reach towards Park.

Fitzgerald/Grant caught back up to third for the finish.

Once the closely guarded secret handicap system was implemented, all competitors and several  old friends of the 14 class gathered for a lovely dinner on the ISC lawn in balmy summer conditions. Knowing that years over 60 count as extra handicap points it was a very close run result. McDanell / Robos 71 year bonus would have been troublesome, but due to their DNF result, this Century Cup was won by the Commodore, Andy Fitzgerald and Bruce Grant by a tight 28 seconds with Douglas Pattison and Bob Turner in second place.

The event was followed by a lovely dinner on the lawn for 40 past and present 14ers

Results: 

1st Andrew Fitzgerald and Bruce Grant  - 126 years

2nd Douglas Pattison and Bob Turner - 121 years

3rd Martin Jones and Andy Rice - 116 years

4th Julian Pearson and Karen Armitage - 122 years

5th Peter Bromley and David Maclean - 115 years

6th Charles Duchesne and Andrew Penaman - 108 years

7th Philip Gladman and Natasha Gladman - 103 years

8th Paul Armitage and Peter Drexhage - 114 years - Classic 14

9th Dominic van Essen and Simona Saccani - 102 years

10th Philip McDanell and John Roberson - 145 years

Last updated 13:27 on 26 January 2024