PM Society Sailing Regatta 2009
The PM Society Sailing Regatta is always an eagerly awaited event in the calendar – and this year was no exception! Now in its sixth year, the Regatta saw over 100 crew pitting their wits against the Solent and each other in yet another wonderful day out on the water!
Starting the event on the Sunday evening was an outdoor BBQ and live band kindly supported by OnMedica at the Royal Air Force Yacht Club in Hamble Marina. Afterwards, everyone retired to the yachts to continue networking and to prepare for the challenging day ahead (and discuss race tactics...).
This year, the PM Society Cup was to be fought over by yachts representing:
- RFA Advertising
- PAN
- Galderma
- Medeconnect
- Saatchi & Saatchi
- OnMedica
- SAS
- Innovex
- Doctors.net
- MJL Advertising
- IS Healthcare
The day itself began with a full briefing and well deserved bacon 'butties' – by which time the weather was clearly going to be kind to us! Following the safety briefings on-board, the fleet set out for a familiarisation-sail across to Cowes. The gentle force 2 sail across the Solent was a great way of ensuring the less experienced sailors had the time to acquaint themselves with the tasks (and language!) of their yachts prior to the afternoon's racing.
Although the conditions were gentle, it didn't stop an unrelated yacht ramming the OnMedica yacht and forcing its retirement from the day's activities. With all crew safe, thanks go to all the other yachts who found spaces for the OnMedica crew.
Mooring up at the Cowes Yacht Haven was followed by a brief walk along Cowes High Street to the historic Royal Yacht Squadron for lunch. Lunch at Prince Phillip's Yacht Club is certainly an experience not to be missed and even our professional Cowes-based skippers admitted that they had never had the opportunity of visiting 'The Squadron'.
After a full safety and race briefing, the fleet set off for the afternoon's racing in the Solent. The wind had built up by this stage and after careful consideration; the race was started (with the Royal Yacht Squadron's race cannon - the same one which starts the 'Round the Island Race'). After a degree of jostling for position on the line, all yachts headed off on the first exhilarating up-wind leg.
Competing against other similar yachts meant very close racing where race planning, tactics and sail-trimming were key. The conditions were challenging with a significant breeze having built over the afternoon and the teamwork on board the yachts was great to see (the addition this year of banners along the side of the yachts showing the host company's name meant everyone knew which companies they were racing against!). Special mention must go to MJL Advertising, whose yacht suffered a ripped sail and yet they still completed the race with only 1 sail!
Once the fleet was moored up again at Hamble Marina, the group convened again at the Royal Air Force Yacht Club for refreshments and the Awards. This year, the coveted PM Society Cup went to Medeconnect – who showed great teamwork and pulled out a convincing lead from the start.
Delighted with their win, medeConnect Business Development Manager Paul Goodman said, "I am absolutely thrilled that the medeConnect Healthcare Insight yacht won the PM Society Sailing Regatta. This is the third year that our company has entered a boat and 2009 really has been a case of 3rd time lucky!
"It was a real team effort but we could not have succeeded without the leadership of our skipper and first mate. I would like to thank Matt Coleman and Vivien Bennett for organising another splendid event - a really excellent job all-round. As Arnold Schwarzenegger would say "We’ll be back" to try and retain our trophy next year!"
The Sailing Regatta is a great way to build strong relationships with your fellow sailors and a good day was had by all. We look forward to seeing old and new faces again next year!
Held on: 15/06/2009