A 42-strong fleet of industry movers and shakers lined up on the Marine Industry Regatta start line yesterday, Wednesday 24 April. After racing four windward-leeward courses aboard identical Sunsail Sunfast 37s, points were added up and prizes dished out.

The runaway winner with just 4 points was Kayospruce Ltd, skippered by Ian Clark. Following him in second place was Hyde Sails, steered by Richard Lovering, then Rockley Watersports International, skippered by Rob Clark, in third.

IPC Marine Media was well represented at the event with two crews on the water; senior sales executive Tom Stevens steered his crew to a respectable mid-fleet position of 18th, while Practical Boat Owner’s crew, skippered by David Harding, had less luck, coming in 35th place.

By far the best battle of the day was that between the two London Boat Shows. James Brooke’s Earls Court Boat Show took on its rival, National Boat Shows. Brooke must be hoping that the boat show battle ashore will imitate yesterday’s racing when it kicks off this December; while Earl’s Court came in 29th place, one of the Excel organisers’ two entries was last, with a whopping 115 points winning its crew nothing but red faces.

Photo: Claire Frew