Switchblade has the cutting edge

Switchblade won the first round of the Commodores Cup for sailing cruisers at the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club over the weekend.

Twenty-two crews, divided into two classes, competed in the event sponsored by local yacht brokers Duboats.

In a fresh westerly wind gusting to 17 knots, the division 1 boats were first away on the windward leg out to the World Islands area.

Toby O'Connell and his huge crew on YO! Quickly set the pace. The trio of owners, Cameron Price, Will Ramage and David Rostant, followed in Switchblade and were the eventual winners on handicap.

Alan Skennerton in Shockwave put up a good performance.

However, Gill Smith in Blitzem claimed second place with Alan third.

The division II cruisers followed with their start five minutes later than Division I. Of the 13 starters, five were of the J22 class, suggesting they may have their own event in the future.

Keith Carter and Chris O'Connell in Al Shujha were the winners in position and on corrected time. Mike Cross in his J22 appropriately named Catch 22 sailed well to take second place, followed by classmate Rod Miller in Basilico.

Results

DUBOATS IRC Div 1, Race 1

1st: Switchblade Cameron Price, Will Ramage & David Rostant

2nd: Blitzem Gill Smith

3rd: Shockwave Alan Skennerton

DUBOATS PAH Div 1, Race 1

1st: Switchblade Cameron Price, Will Ramage & David Rostant

2nd: Blitzem Gill Smith

3rd: Shockwave Alan Skennerton

DUBOATS IRC Div 2, Race 1

1st: Al Shujha Keith Carter & Chris O'Connell

2nd: Catch 22 Mike Cross