
Melita (6 Metre) and Athena (8 Metre) on the Solent – Panerai Regatta – Photo Credit Nicole Shrimpton
Check out the full Cowes Classic week wrap up with videos and photo’s
Here’s words about the final race of the Regatta from Martin Ryan
Last race fairly predictable . On the start line 15 secs after cannon at full speed with 4 knot tide encouraging us over . From there it was the usual procession. Holding on to the fleet downwind , dropping off up wind and typically following their tide strategy . You can see that from the tracking .
Melita helmed by John except for penultimate day when Philip helmed .Tracker is great but film by 4pm each day is captivating. something we should do for our Regatta.
Friday night : prize night , 25 tables of 8 with Commodore Tim Blackman MC. A great presentation, Philip and I retired to the Dragons party at RORC .
The day after the Regatta . John , Bob and Philip taking Melita back to the Hamble River ,a 2 hour sail away .
What the results don’t show is a 1932 six metre consistently mixing with a fleet of sixes that compete at world series level.
Day 5 images of Melita at play among the six’s
Some race 5 comments from Martin Ryan
Winds of 10 to 14 knots with tide of 4 knots. You can see from the tracking that we sort ourselves out early according to boat speed. We tend to hold on to them a bit longer down wind . St . Kitts is a modern 6 and is obviously fastest. Mena packed up after yesterday’s morning race, off to the worlds in Vancouver.
Highlight of our challenges has been berthing in tide on dying breeze with no engine.
Running off to briefing. Martin
Day 4 images of Melita’s crew at work and rest
Cowes Race day 2 comments
Cowes race 1 pics
Melita pics received today July 8. First race Sunday 9:30 pm AEST
Some status words from Phil Brown
We spent today fitting sails, fixing running back stays, fitting battens, and generally preparing the boat. This evening John is making our Battle Flag – very creative guy is John. Group decision on the design of Boomerang above stars of the Southern Cross.
We have several headsails and 2 mainsails so very well set up for racing in all conditions. The boat is parked in with 4 other 6 Metres of which only Mena will be racing with us this coming week.
PRESS RELEASE # 1
Panerai British Classic Week Cowes UK
We have an Australian entry!
GBR 42 Melita
Melita is a William Fife designed 6 metre commissioned by the ‘King of Whisky’ Mr Ronald Teacher. The provenance story of Melita.
Melita has been chartered by Martin Ryan, CYAA President, to be the CYAA representative Classic Yacht at the 2017 Panerai British Classic Week at Cowes UK.
CYAA members Martin Ryan, Phil Brown and Bob McClusky will be on board and working Melita hard.
Melita was secured by John Mellows ,a local who has participated in this Regatta many times. John is currently ( June 18 ) putting together a suite of sails from other supportive 6’s and will be navigator ,without question, on Melita.

Melita Fife 1934
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