It has certainly been another year racing through vast waters with both Verisona and members of its team taking charge in notable sailing events in the UK & Ireland. Tim Reynolds, Verisona’s Director responsible for Marine legal work has again been active in two major events, notably, Cowes Week, the largest sailing regatta where Verisona also provided sponsorship and also, the Irish National Championships, the largest ever British and Irish National 18 Championships.

Cowes Week, 6 -13 August

Verisona is delighted to have been involved with Cowes Week having sponsored the yacht (known in fact as ‘Mr Muddle’) that Tim Reynolds and Bob Long, Director of Wileys, collectively bought for their sons. The sons were then assigned with much of the work to prepare and sail the vessel at Cowes.

Mr Muddle, notably one of the smallest yachts of the race, derived from the infamous eBay, when the old Mini Tonner at just 22 feet was bought for the grand sum of £1,800.00 for the sons to campaign around the Solent. Mr Muddle may have been sound, but she was tatty, had no sails or interior and needed a total refit. With the support of many local tradesmen and suppliers, much hard work soon got underway to prepare the vessel for the race. A last minute blow may have prevented the boys from participating in the round the island race, but with sponsorship from Verisona, they have since been on track enjoying their racing time at Cowes.

Irish National Championships, 23 to 29 July

Meanwhile, back in Ireland, Tim was part of the successful Bosham sailing Club National 18 squad which accompanied Brian Hoolahan’s Classic Anderson solid timber 1951 National 18 133 “Theorette”, and Tony Howes’ GRP modern Chichester 18 “Deja Blue”, and competed in the Classic Division in Cork. A record entry of 52 boats sailed over the 6 days and included 35 in the modern ultimate division and 16 in the Classics. 7 English boats in fact made the trip on the Swansea Cork ferry to take part, with other boats from Findhorn in Scotland and the Isle of Man also attending.

With 7 races involved, (2 were cancelled due to lack of wind) and rotating crews, Tim was put in charge of the kites with which both Bosham boats were hastily fitted-such modern contrivances having been traditionally eschewed by the Bosham CDB fleet. After initial teething problems, and Deja Blue borrowing a Monster of a Kite from an obliging local boat, both Bosham boats began to get to grips with the local tidal conditions, and score bullets. A 3rd for Deja Blue” in light airs on Tuesday demonstrated the boats true potential, but the disappointing abandonment of 2 races following main halyard breakage on Thursday, the windiest day, scuppered her chances.

The closely contested modern ultimate series, racing in open water south of the harbour, was won by Chapmans’ local boat 370 “Aquaholics”, Tamesis and Blackwater boats finishing mid fleet. Overall, the Irish 18 Fleet certainly delivered on their promise to stage the biggest and best event in recent years. The fact that they recovered 3 abandoned boats, which they rebuilt on the practice day and thereafter launched and successfully raced, demonstrated the great depth of affection and enthusiasm, which the class continues to enjoy there.