Hats off to Stuart Quarrie, race director of Skandia Cowes Week who has remained calm in the rather vitriolic canting keel storm. Sounds pretty obvious to me: get some boats and Stuart will give you a start...can't say fairer than that really. Anyhow here's the latest press release (where even Mike Urwin is lured out of the shadows) that will hopefully put this non-story to beddy-byes: There has been much speculation over the last few days regarding Skandia Cowes Week and canting keelers following an open email from Ger ORourke. I therefore feel it is important to address some of the partly thought-out ideas and comments that have been made, in order to try and lay this matter to rest.  read more »

I get the monster hump when people criticise Cowes Week because first and foremost I believe that Stuart Quarrie (Cowes Week Director) is totally beyond reproach and has steered the regatta to the very top. I've been a journalist there for years as well as a competitor since before I can remember and I can say, hand on heart, that last year I had the time of my life sailing in lowly Class 9 IRC in my H-Boat. Sure we didn't win but we won one race and had a great week on the water...all the boxes were ticked in my book and the race management was first class - period.  read more »