Team spirit on Jacobite was more dogged than ever yesterday with the Lymington crew dedicating their day's success to one of their former crewmembers who lost a battle against cancer on Monday.

Coming in second behind the Reflex 38 T&G, driven for the second day by America's Cup helmsman John Bertrand, Jacobite's crew put in another strong performance following a fourth and two firsts this week.

The news that Dan Child, a 22 year-old from Essex who was diagnosed with lung cancer after Skandia Life Cowes Week last year, had died was received with great sadness on Monday night after racing.

He sailed on Jacobite for two years and was a popular and enthusiastic member of the crew with a future in professional yachting ahead of him.

A second place yesterday kept the Lymington boat at the head of the top-ranking IRC Class 1 leaderboard and, with their rating giving them the advantage, there is every chance of a clean sweep again this year.

For Paul Blowers, a former Etchells World Champion, the addition of Bertrand at the wheel has made a big difference to the performance of the boat, which now lies in second place overall behind Jacobite.

Said Bertrand, paying his first visit to Skandia Life Cowes Week: "I know Paul very well because we both competed in the Etchells World Championship in Hong Kong - he won and we came third - and we became firm friends.

"Before I came along this week, Paul was driving and was tactician which was difficult so now he can concentrate on the tactical work while I steer. The teamwork is fantastic and that is why we won today.

"Paul is world class so being able to sail with him and his team is a real delight and good fun. Having so little knowledge of local conditions made little difference - when you have a rocket ship and a good team, you end up winning."

Another Christian Stimpson designed Reflex 38, Euro Benefits, driven by the Stimpson himself came fourth making it a good day for the Cowes designer.

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.