Seventeen Cape 31s gathered at the Royal Thames Yacht Club for Round 2 of the 2024 31 Race Circuit, where Christian & Jacintha Hamilton-Love aboard Khumbu Red emerged victorious by a single point. The husband-wife team led the regatta and secured the overall victory, while Charlie Whelan’s Bodfather claimed the win in the Corinthian/pro division.
From Ireland, Royal Cork's Irish champion Antix finished 12th and second Corinthian boat. The Howth Yacht Club Cape 31, Adrenaline was 15th.
Amidst the stunning British Summer weather in the Solent, the fleet faced varying wind conditions ranging from 6 to 16 knots across the weekend. Nick & Cara Phillips set the pace on Chaotic, winning the first race with a considerable lead. Khumbu Red dominated the rest of the day, claiming the next two victories. Bodfather, Bullit, and Khumbu Black completed the podium for Friday, marking a strong start to the regatta.
Saturday's forecast echoed Friday's conditions, with slightly lighter winds. Khumbu Red maintained their consistency, but Lance Adam’s Katabatic emerged victorious with scores of 3, 1, 4 after struggling on Friday. The teams enjoyed some sundowners, Pizza, and live music from the amazing Johnny Michael in the Summer Garden at the Island Sailing club on Saturday evening after racing.
Sunday morning brought a bit more wind, coupled with an earlier start time, presenting a new challenge for the teams with a significantly different race course due to wind and tide. Tony Dickin’s Jubilee started the day with a commanding win.
Race eight saw several attempts before finally getting underway, ending in a general recall under Black Flag with eight teams being disqualified. Despite some real nail-biting moments for crew and spectators, Khumbu Red held onto the overall lead by a single point, showcasing remarkable consistency throughout the regatta.
With the conclusion of this thrilling event, attention now turns to Round 3, set to take place in a few weeks at the Royal Southern Yacht Club.
Results here
