2014 Pendennis Cup - Day 3
by Christine Winans 31 May 2014 09:50 BST
26-31 May 2014
A delayed start on day 3 of the Pendennis Cup was to provide ideal conditions for another fantastic day's racing with the winds filling in from the north and blue skies. The yachts paraded around the bay providing another beautiful spectacle off the coast of Falmouth.
Kelpie was first across the line, followed 3 minutes later by Velacarina, Adix, Mariette and Christopher and the Breakaway. As they made final approaches, all three passed dramatically close to the start buoy making for one of the most exciting starts of the week. The yachts flew northwards towards St Anthony's Lighthouse, and then took a starboard tack towards the first 'Tango' mark. Breakaway flew off the start line, quickly gaining on the classic yachts, passing Mariette and Adix on the beat.
Velacarina soon took the lead of the group which she maintained for the next hour. She held her bright orange kite down to the Manacles buoy ahead of Christopher with her famous red chilli ballooning in the breeze. Breakaway followed not 5 minutes behind her maintaining a 12knot pace. The classics looked spectacular behind them, Mariette launching her spinnaker with Kelpie and Adix battling each other on the downwind leg. They maintained this order down to the Manacles, accompanied again by a beautiful pod of dolphins with Kelpie and Adix having the closest battle.
Velacarina appeared to have the advantage but was caught by Christopher and Breakaway on the last turn at the 'Old Wall mark. Racing was tight as they all tacked to port within a minute of each other towards 'Gylly Beach'. Christopher was closely pursued by Breakaway until the finish line, crossing the line less than a minute after the larger yacht. Velacarina was close behind her rivals in third and stole the race victory by just under 30 seconds on corrected time. Mariette was the next to finish with Adix and then Kelpie following.
The Little Dennis fleet was once again a closely fought race, but it was once more to be Firebrand's day as she controlled the fleet throughout. The beautiful smaller classics have provided a gorgeous site in the bay, with colourful spinnakers flying closer to shore.
The tight racing throughout Day 3 leaves Velacarina in first place overall on amended time, but with just 2 points separating the leading yachts Velacarina and Christopher. Tomorrow will be an exciting day with all to play for and of course the finale of the red arrows to look forward to.
This is certainly the most closely contested Pendennis Cup yet.
www.thependenniscup.co.uk