Tactical Racing and Tight Finishes in the Nautical Cloud Channel Race to St Peter Port

28th August 2025

The Nautical Cloud Channel Race to St Peter Port delivered a classic late-summer challenge, with 32 yachts across three IRC classes, plus Double Handed and Generation JOG divisions, contesting the 95-mile course from Cowes to Guernsey. Variable breeze, strong spring tides, and a handful of tactical conundrums made for a fascinating race that kept positions in play until the very end.

In Class 2, Jetpack (Mark & Ella Brown, JPK 1010) sailed a determined race to secure the win ahead of close rivals Purple Mist and Arcsine. Speaking after the finish, skipper Mark Brown reflected:

“The race started with a down tide and a downwind leg – always a fun combination. We hit the line right on time off Gurnard, but a slight technical hitch with the kite meant Hot Pursuit rolled us for the best start. We were first to the forts, but everything was tight at that stage.”

From there, the fleet split strategies, with Jetpack opting to tack inshore at Bembridge to escape the east-going tide. “It worked initially,” Brown continued, “but we outstayed our welcome in Sandown Bay. Those who broke south early gained the advantage.”

As the wind faded approaching Alderney, anchoring became a tactical weapon. Jetpack anchored in 77m of water to hold station, but the gains were marginal:

“It was one of those true JOG moments – anchored in the Channel, watching boats drift past and calculating when to get moving again. In the end, we rounded Casquets with the same group we’d been with four hours earlier.”

The deciding move came in the Little Roussel. “Purple Mist had been our nemesis for the last 12 hours,” said Brown. “We saw a chance to ferry-glide inshore on the Guernsey side, just enough to sneak ahead at the finish. To cross in daylight with a bar open – that’s a JOG finish at its best.”

Line honours and the IRC Class 1 win went to Bellino (Rob Craigie, Sun Fast 3600), while Spectrum (Joe Simmons, Impala 28) dominated Class 3 and claimed the Generation JOG win.

Results

Overall
🥇 – Bellino, ROB CRAIGIE, SUN FAST 3600 (Monohull line honours)
🥈 – Spectrum, JOE SIMMONS, Impala 28
🥉 – RORC Griffin, ALEX BARONE, SUN FAST 3600

IRC Class 1
🥇 – Bellino, ROB CRAIGIE, SUN FAST 3600
🥈 – RORC Griffin, ALEX BARONE, SUN FAST 3600
🥉 – Mzungu!, Tony White, JPK 1080

IRC Class 2
🥇 – Jetpack, MARK BROWN, JPK 1010
🥈 – Purple Mist, KATE COPE, SUN FAST 3200
🥉 – Arcsine, KATHY CLAYDON, Arcona 370

IRC Class 3
🥇 – Spectrum, JOE SIMMONS, Impala 28
🥈 – With Alacrity, CHRIS CHOULES, Sigma 38
🥉 – Markova, GAVIN MARRIOTT, Swan 36

Double Handed
🥇 – Purple Mist, KATE COPE, SUN FAST 3200
🥈 – GameOn, IAN HODDLE, SUN FAST 3300
🥉 – Arcsine, KATHY CLAYDON, Arcona 370

Generation JOG
🥇 – Spectrum, JOE SIMMONS, Impala 28
🥈 – RORC Griffin, ALEX BARONE, SUN FAST 3600
🥉 – Jetpack, MARK BROWN, JPK 1010

Next up: the final Offshore race of the 2025 season – TeamO Cherbourg race with RORC. Taking place on September 5th, this season finale promises another competitive turnout as the points series concludes. Check out the Sailing Instructions and enter the race here.

With the offshore series nearly complete, attention will soon turn to the four remaining coastal races of the season: Stoneways Cowes to Poole and return race on the 13th and 14th September, and the Henri-Lloyd Cowes and Lymington weekend on 27th and 28th September.

📸 Photo credit: John Green, Cowes

Tactical Racing and Tight Finishes in the Nautical Cloud Channel Race to St Peter Port

28th August 2025

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