Charles and four of his regular LSC crew (Kate Newman, Mark Blunden, Anne Blunden and Simon Hughes) attended the JOG prizegiving last Saturday where they picked up silverware for their three Class Five podium finishes, including the Theta Trophy for first place in the Cherbourg - Cowes race.This adds to the two LSC trophies Shadow earned a few weeks earlier for the 2008-09 fast cruise series and the 2009 Round the Island Race (IRC rated).

Shadow is a pretty standard Westerly Fulmar with just the addition of a few racing extras and a decent suit of sails. As Charles says, it is a testament to the IRC rating system that old designs such as his (the first Fulmar hit the water in 1979) can still race competitively with the fanciest of new boats.

Although Shadow will be seen on LSC fast cruises a few more times this winter, she is now on the market looking for a good home. However, this does not mean that Charles and his team are finished with racing just yet. An X-34 is rumoured to be on its way from Denmark ready for the 2010 season and Charles intends to continue racing with JOG next year. Shadow St VaastHe and all the team really enjoy the style of the JOG programme; a cross-channel race followed by a party and then a cruise home.

Lets just hope the new boat carries on where Shadow signed off, she will be a tough act to follow.