Spirit of Jethou takes the spoils at Cowes

(PAUL WYETH)

Two cannons roaring from the Royal Yacht Squadron at two minutes past nine signalled a two and a half hour delay, the chance of a massive cholesterol boost, and for those that eventually were released, an afternoon of picture book racing and a thoroughly satisfying day.

Unfortunately, many saw their races abandoned as, even with the shortening of the schedule to a start every five minutes, there was not enough time to go through the number of sequences needed for 43 classes.

Eleven never made it, but the merry-go-round at the top of the big boat Class Zero saw the third winner in three days, the Bossom Challenge Cup going to Sir Peter Ogden's Spirit of Jethou.

But there was no change at the top of the Etchells class, where Graham Bailey and Stephen Bailey, who are not related, remain unbeaten.

Event rider Zara Phillips, bobsled gold medallist Amy Williams, and former rugby international Martin Bayfield are among the guests due in Cowes tomorrow for the Artemis round the island challenge for Open 60 yachts.

Leading the charge will be French solo sailor Roland Jourdain, a tough competitor for the skipper of Bayfield’s boat, Dee Caffari.

Confirmation of Ian Walker's appointment as skipper and design adviser to the Abu Dhabi entry for the 2011-12 Volvo round the world race was made by the Abu Dhabi Tourist Authority.

"Ian is the lynchpin in the dream team we are determined to secure," said Ahmed Hussein of the ADTA. The team hopes to have at least one United Arab Emirates national in the 10-strong crew or as media member. There will also be UAE nationals in the shore crew and the boat will be built in Abu Dhabi.