Ainslie has arrived just as the true Cowes sailing business begins
THE sun is out at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week. Yesterday saw a cracking day’s sailing with the perfect weather of sun and wind – often described as champagne sailing conditions.
It was the ideal day for regular event guest HRH Duke of Edinburgh to be at the Royal Yacht Squadron watching from the start line and then getting out in a launch and close to the action. My spies tell me he is having dinner at the house next door, so I will keep my eagle eyes open to catch him.
The other famous name to be in Cowes for dinner is Ben Ainslie. Here to thank his sponsors, he’s arrived quietly and, weighed down with those five Olympic medals, is keeping a low profile.
Incidentally, David Howlett has been awarded the gold star for yet again coaching Ainslie to another Olympic gold. Every sailor he has coached since 1988 has won gold, which is a brilliant record.
Today we enter the second half of the regatta and this is the point when you now start to study the results. There are a number of boats who have won all their races so far and they will be looking to stay ahead of their competitors. As the forecast is very windy, they could end up with a few hours ashore looking at the results, scores and permutations. Fingers crossed they get out there and give us more great action to watch from the green.
Sarah Gosling is a double gold medal-winning former Olympic sailor.