One final spectacular race confirmed Lawrie Smith and the Alfie team as the 75th Edinburgh Cup Champion. It all came down to an intense battle between Smith and Peter Gilmour’s YRED of the Yanmar Racing Team. Smith led for much of the race but Gilmour challenged him all the way. They drew neck and neck in the final stages of the last run and match raced their way into the gate with Gilmour rounding the right gate mere seconds ahead of Smith on the left. On the beat Smith had one less tack and a very slight advantage from getting out of the foul tide slightly quicker and it was just enough to see him cross the line a boat length ahead. Following them home was Andy Beadsworth’s Provezza Dragon team who completed the podium.
The Corinthian Division was almost as closely fought with Chris Grosscurth’s Fit Chick beating Martin Byrne’s Jaguar Sailing Team by just one point. Simon Barter’s Bertie and Paul Richard Hoj-Jensen’s Danish Blue ended the regatta on equal points with Barter just taking the bronze medal on count back.
Full report to follow shortly