Glynn Williams, has called his last two boats Wolf and he was definitely on the prowl in the first race of this fascinating encounter.
Race 1: Volkswagen Touareg King of Cowes
Racing on the Hill Head Plateau, tension mounted as the start was delayed for a short time to allow the wind direction to settle. At the start of the windward leeward course, the wind speed was about 10 knots from the south west and the majority of the fleet were in a tight bunch at the pin end.
At the gun, two boats found themselves over and Andy Budgen looked to have a collision which halted his progress. It was Ben Cooper and Russell Peters that got the best start and led the fleet up the first beat but Glynn Williams came to the fore, leading at the first top mark. Enjoying the clear air, Williams was ahead by some distance and led all the way around the course. Going into the last run, there was one moment of true drama, Dave Dwyer became entangled with the top mark causing boats around him to spear off to avoid a collision.
Glynn Williams held on to take the gun but only just, David Arthorp had a fantastic last beat and was less than a boat length behind with Extreme 40 sailor, Alister Richardson in third. Russell Peters was fourth. Andy Budgen made a fantastic come back, after a poor start, to take fifth place.
VIDEO: Dwyer hits top mark.
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Louay Habib/Yachting World, 3 August 2007
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