PM Society Sailing at Cowes

Over 60 members of the Society arrived at Port Hamble Marina by 8.00am on Thursday 12th August ready for bacon sandwiches, tea and a full safety briefing for the day's sailing.


Nine 8-berth yachts made up the PM Society fleet, with fully qualified skippers from Fairview in charge - however there were also a few keen sailors scattered amongst the crews, ready and willing to impart their knowledge and experience to their less experienced team members.

The morning's sailing was spent with all team members learning "the ropes", how to avoid damaging the £65,000 yachts and how to sail as smoothly as possible up and down the Solent, whilst watching the Cowes Regatta racing off the coast of the Isle of Wight. Although some of the members had expected to be sitting on deck with an ice cold G&T, the skippers got everyone working - with the sailing terminology causing more confusion than the actual activity itself!

After a delicious lunch at the Royal Air Force Yacht Club, where huge deserts and ample second helpings of everything provided much needed ballast for some of the members, the afternoon's racing began. To say that things got a little competitive may be the under-statement of the year. The nine teams were racing for the PM Society Cowes Week Trophy, sponsored by Pharmafile and everyone was keen to get their hands on the prize! The affable skippers who had been gently coaching complete beginners during the morning were now barking orders and crews were jumping about the yachts hoisting sails, tacking, gybing and trying to listen to the start times of the races whilst avoiding other crew's boats.



With the wind at a force 4-5, the sailing was fast and furious and definitely blew away any cobwebs lurking after lunch. Although the first race start was a little confusing everyone finally got going. The second race start was very efficient; however there was a clear winner for both events. RFA Advertising (with matching crew shirts, so we knew they were serious!) won First Prize with joint Second position going to Bray Leino, The PM Society Committee and RFA's second team.

After cleaning the boats and returning life jackets and any wet weather gear, the teams made their way to the Royal Air Force Yacht Club for a celebratory drink and the prize giving. Paul Holmes, General Manager at Pharmafile who organised the whole day so splendidly, presented the winners' trophy to Matthew Baker of RFA Advertising and congratulated all the other teams on their sterling effort during the day.

The PM Society Committee would like to thank Paul Holmes for organising such a splendid day and to all the members who made the day such a success. It is hoped that this will be the first of many such events.

Held on: 12/08/2004