Best of both

Cowes Week is famous the world over. Seven days of round the cans competition on the prime sailing spot that is the Solent attracts everyone from the grand prix racers of IRC0 and IRC1 to the diminutive yet ever-popular XOD. There’s hot competition to be found in every one of the 35+ classes – but there’s also plenty of opportunity for family fun.

For Adam Ridett, co-owner (with Phil Moore) and skipper of Beneteau First 40.7 Challenger, this is as much a part of the attraction as anything. But last year’s regatta gave him all that and more, as he and his mixed crew of family and friends took victory in the Performance Cruiser B class and were awarded the prestigious Sailing Today Trophy. Many of the team have sailed together for as long as 15 or 20 years, regularly competing at regattas around the Solent, but this win came as a real highlight