The 29th Willy T Race and Virgin’s Cup took place on Saturday, October 19 with 14 boats racing from Nanny Cay across to the Willy T.
From a start line set off Nanny Cay, the race took sailors up to Hog Valley Green marker buoy off Road Town and across the channel to pass between Norman and Peter Island, down to Pelican and the Indians and up to finish in the Bight. Four dinghies took a more direct route to round Pelican and the Indians before entering the Bight.
There were two dinghy classes, the Laser 4.7 and RSFeva. Samuel Allen and Max Reshetiloff duked it out in the Laser 4.7 with Allen taking a commanding lead to the Indians. Reshetiloff made a comeback in the final leg to the finish but not quite enough to take the win from Allen.
In the RSFeva class, 9 year old Darcy Lilleyman and her dad Tom showed off the skills she’s learned in the RBVIYC after school program to take the win. Up against them were Julia Campbell and Dave Allen who were forced to retire after taking on water.
There were five entries in the cruising class, all but one with lady helms. Sharon Barber steered Wicked Winch to the overall victory in her class by just over 2.5 minutes on corrected time. In second place was Odyssey, helmed by Lisa Sutherland-Pilch, who had an eventful race including an unexpected dunking for owner, Miles!
Barbara Bailey on Second Nature claimed third ahead of Monica Geppert on Moonshadow in fourth. Flying in for line honors in the class was Bruce Fletcher’s Ginger but they took fifth with an RTD as it’s not quite the done thing to use the engine!
Three boats in the race division had a very close race but the IC24 ElAmanda, helmed by Amanda Plaxton and Leslie Cramer clinched the win, despite a late start. In second place was Dee Bowden with Firewater and Sam Brown at the helm of The Black Pig came in third.
In the multihull division, Lucky 7 with Linda Phillips at the helm got off to a flying start but unfortunately rudder failure half way around the course forced them to retire. This left Victoria Rowlette, driving Whoop Whoop, with a clean shot. A fantastic performance from 12 year old Rowlette saw her take the multihull class and the overall win.
At a colourful prize giving hosted by the Willy T’s very own Ewan Anderson, thanks we’re given to the race committee and local supporters who donated prizes; the Willy T, Captain Mulligans, Village Cay and Nanny Cay Beach Bar.
Special awards were given to the oldest and youngest skippers, Barbara Bailey (91) and Darcy Lilleyman (9), whose combined age reached a whopping 100 years. Flora Lilleyman was also acknowledged for her assistance to the race committee.
Click here for photos on RBVIYC Facebook page.
Click here for high res pictures on RBVIYC Flickr page.
All images: © RBVIYC / Clair Burke
Results
Laser 4.7
- Samuel Allen
- Max Reshetiloff
RSFeva
- Darcy and Tom Lilleyman
- Julia Campbell and Dave Allen (RTD)
Cruising
- Wicked Winch (Hunter 30.2) – Sharon Barber
- Odyssey (Beneteau 44.7) – Lisa Sutherland-Pilch
- Second Nature (Hughes38) – Barbara Bailey
- Moonshadow (Tayana/V42) – Monica Geppert
- Ginger (Morgan46) – Bruce Fletcher (RTD)
Racing
- ElAmanda (IC24) – Amanda Plaxton & Leslie Cramer
- Firewater (Melges24) – Dee Bowden
- Black Pig (Tartan10) – Sam Brown
Multihull
- Whoop Whoop (Corsair27) – Victoria Rowlette
- Lucky 7 (Corsair750) – Linda Phillips (RTD)
