The annual British Classic Yacht Club Regatta held in Cowes last week, ended as it started, in record breaking Solent temperatures.

The highest ever turn-out of 40 classic yachts confirmed the continuing trend in the popularity of restored and replica classics, including ten 6 metres who raced for three days of the regatta in their own Classic and Modern classes.

Do not mistake the term Classic for pipe-smoking shanty-songsters; these are serious crews with IRC certificates, budgets and good sails, and no-where was racing more serious and close than in the Classes 2 and 3, around the cans and during the mid-week Round the Island Race. Boats including Clarion of Wight', and Cetawayo' are veterans of the grand prix racing of their day.

In Class 2 the stunningly restored, such as John Teece's 1958 America's Cup challenger Sceptre' and the simply stunning, like Richard Bendy's recently purchased Kelpie', a 1903 Alfred Mylne gaff rigger, raced hard around the courses, but it was Marc Busschot's gleaming 1936 8-metre Ilderim' which stole the podium with a clean sweep of four 1sts, making his trip to the event from Zeebrugge well worth while.

Class 3 was won by Rowland Smith and Roger Dann's Leonie' a comparatively sprightly 1952 sloop, despite competition from the likes of International 5 metre Sensa' and even from Cygnet', 100 years old this year.

Meanwhile the 6 metres, enjoying a phenomenal resurgence returned from La Trinit to race in their own class, with prizes for both Classics and Moderns. A lack of discard in the three races meant that Tom Richardson on Thistle' with a 1st and two 2nds was overall winner in the Classics although Paul Smith's Caprice' won 2 races but suffered with a no-show on the other. The Trophy for the Moderns went to Cathy and Andy Ash-Vie with three straight wins in Wildcat II'.

The 6s are no doubt thinking ahead to their World Championship in Cowes in July 2007 with an expected 60-strong fleet while the other classics will be joined by up to 80 additional metre yachts for the British Classic Yacht Club Regatta the week before the International Metre Rule Centenary Regatta also in Cowes next summer.

With minds and tactics sharpened by a Masterclass lecture held by sponsors Hood Sailmakers and RYA coach Barry Dunning starts were clean and competitive. Harken Yacht Equipment also gave valuable support to the fleets.