Falmouth Week 2003

Falmouth Week this year was held between 10th to 16th August and the Port of Falmouth Sailing Association has over the last couple of years been steadily improving the race management of the event.

This year saw 3 Committee Boats in operation with racing for a Dinghy, Carrick, and Bay Fleet in three distinct areas of Falmouth Bay and the Carrick Roads Estuary.

Close to 400 boats competed in the Regatta Week making the event one of the largest to be held in the South West.

Having revised and improved the race management side of the event this year saw Wave Productions a locally based company take over the running of the shore based entertainment programme.

It was a resounding success and the 55th Annual Regatta Week can be regarded as one of the best ever.

Each day different sailing club hosts the sailing action and a brief report on each day is attached below. Some 27 different classes race each day and range from modern hi-tech dinghies to traditional Falmouth Working Boats.

All are welcome.

HELFORD SAILING CLUB REGATTA

A strong northerly wind blowing down the creek made for exciting sailing over at Helford.

Out in the Bay the larger yachts all raced around traditional regatta marks but during the week the majority of competitors will have experienced at least 2 days of sailing championship courses comprising windward/leeward marks to provide a mixture of modern and traditional racing formats.

In the Multihulls it was an opening victory for Crackerjack skippered by local marina owner Mike Webb.

Visiting yachts however prevailed in the IRC Classes with Torquay based John Pollard winning Class A in his Melges 24 Xcellent and regular visitor Frank Ellwood sailing his J29 Lingo taking the silverware in Q Class.

The Laser SB3’s were grouped with asymmetric sportsboats and the early indications indicate it will be a battle between the SB3’s and the J80 Jeronimo sailed by Stephen Hollingsworth. Victory in the opening skirmish went to the J80.

The J24 fleet had a splendid tussle throughout the week with Jasper owned and raced by Phil Samuels and Jeremy Beeching taking first blood.

Mistress sailed by William Daniels won the highly competitive Dragon fleet.

David Liddington, winner last year of the West Briton Trophy, sailing Athena also started his defense of his crown with a win in the Ajax class.

Given the breezy conditions the formbook prevailed in the Large Working Boat Class with Rebecca under Phil Slater winning from Grace and Peter Hocking. In the Sunbeam class Verity V20 and Neil Andrew successfully held off the challenge of two of the new Mylor Sunbeams with Milly V45 (Roger Graffy) finishing 2nd and Kitty V47 (Alan Hayward) finishing 3rd.

In the Shrimper class Salamander sailed by Robert Wood successfully denied Classics winner Nellie and Mike Syrett a weekend double and Marie (Mo Sawle) sporting a fine new set of sails triumphed in G class.

Last year’s winner of E Class Jinjy skippered by Simon Filmer proved the Mylor Missile was still the boat to beat by taking the first bullet from John Webley’s Grand Soleil 38 Stars.

In U Class Levity (Guy English- Balaton 31) held off Falmouth Week regulars Amneris (Peter Hackett- Hustler 25), Moonlighter (Paul Collins – Sadler 25), and Asti (John Lukey – Trapper 30) but the battle for supremacy between these four boats will rage all week.

In the Marieholms first blood went to John Todd sailing Sundance whilst in Class F the Nordic Folkboat of Peter Knight Sarita held off the challenge of sister ships Nimble (G Edwards) and Milly (R Webb).

In the dinghy fleets RS sailboats had a good opening day with Tim Johnson wining the Asymmetric Class in his RS700 and Rob Gibbs wining the RS800 Class. Class R the fast dinghy handicap fleet was a Fireball benefit with the class filling the first 3 places with Hot Kaper sailed by Keith Power taking the victory.

MYLOR YACHT CLUB

Monday and the conditions are similar with a strong wind (F 5) splitting the large working boat fleet into two groups those carrying a topsail and those without a topsail. Always a tricky decision but those carrying the additional sail had the edge with Rebecca repeating her win of Sunday followed in by Abigail Rose (Norman Bowers) and Lola (Sandy Creedon).

Stella (Ian Jenkins) one of the smaller boats in B class had the honour of being the first wood boat home in 4th place and winning the George Cork Cup.

In C Class Zilpha continued her winning streak chased home by Lottie (Paul Ferris) and Dolly (Barry Prynn). There were also repeat victories for Crackerjack in the Multihulls x 2, Xcellent in A Class, Lingo in Q Class, Jinjy in Class E, Mistress in the Dragon Class and Athena in the Ajax Class.

Choochky sailed by Mandy Peck and David Owen won the St Mawes OD Class with the breezy conditions bringing about gear failure on several fancied runners.

In the Bay fleets the Multihulls, the J24s and the SB3 & Asymmetric Class all enjoyed 2 races.

Mike Webb dominated the Multihull Class and Just Wind and Jon Peters enjoyed a similar red-letter day in the J24 Class winning both races. Laser Director Tim Coventry sailing his SB3 won the 1st race from Jeronimo but Jeronimo won the rematch from David Evans in his SB3 Distinctly Minty.

Martin Egan sailing his Mirror Blyskawica won both Class T starts and Bob Warren repeated in the RS800 Class. In the Asymmetrics it was a win apiece for Tim Johnson in his RS700 and Alan Davis in his B14 likewise John Eddy (Merlin Rocket) and Dave Laming (RS 600) shared the spoils in Class R.

In U Class Jemelda owned by Alan Muirhead held off the challenge of Moonlighter and Asti. In the Marieholms regular Swiss visitor Robert Iselin sailing Harmony demoted Helford winner John Todd into 2nd place and in Class F John Cruise sailing his Contessa 26 Mary Boon repeated the feat on Sarita (Peter Knight).

RESTRONGUET SAILING CLUB

If the first two days of Falmouth Week were bright and breezy then Tuesday proved just the opposite being hot and humid with little of no breeze.

After a couple of hours waiting for a breeze to set in racing in the Bay was abandoned for the day. A light breeze was to be found in the Carrick Roads and so both the Carrick and the Dinghy fleets were able to successfully complete their race programmes.

In the Asymmetric Dinghy Class Paddy Haddrell provided an RS clean sweep in the fleet winning in his RS200 from Fenella Williams in her RS200 and Stephen Pendray in his RS Vareo.

Rebecca skippered by Phil Slater continued serenely in the Working Boat B class winning for the 3rd day in a row from Cousin Jack (Graham Pearce) and Stella (Ian Jenkins). In C Class Lottie sailed by Paul Ferris took the gun from Mike Stratton in Deliverance and Anthony Bird in Leila.

Comet and Lennie Trenoweth won the OD Class to make up for suffering gear failure at Mylor from Robin Hood (David Mantle) and Buccaneer (Nick Leach). Wave Productions gave Mike Rangecroft a day off and he made the best of his holiday from the Event Square by winning G Class in Miss Agnes from Mo Sawle in Marie.

In the highly competitive Shrimper fleet David Cox in Narcissus notched up his first win of the week followed home by Dipper (James Downie) and Nellie (Mark Syrett). Andrew Carter won the Laser Class from Robert Beare and Justin Eddy in his Merlin Rocket The Edge won Class R from the Laser Vortex of Mike Beggs.

Mistress the Dragon sailed by Williams Daniels put a secure grip on the Dragon class by winning for the 3rd consecutive day unlike Athena and David Liddington in the Ajax class. After wins at Helford and Mylor Athena was pushed into 2nd place by Nemesis skippered by Bob Edwards.

Verity V20 made it 2 wins out of 3 starts for Neil Andrew in the Sunbeam class and Shooting Stars and Richard Readings posted their 2nd win of the week in the Wayfarers.

Russell Gibbs scored a bullet in the RS800 class and Martin Egan in his Mirror Blyskawica continued his winning ways in the T class dinghy fleet.

FLUSHING SAILING CLUB REGATTA

Wednesday had little sunshine being overcast and dull with the odd little rain shower and very little wind which meant many competitors had shortened courses as what wind there was fell away as the afternoon progressed.

There was a resumption of hostilities in the Bay and the previous race winners in Classes A and Q repeated their victories of Sunday and Monday with John Pollard on board Xcellent his Melges 24 winning in A and Frank Ellwood on board his J29 Lingo winning in Q.

In the PY classes however there were 3 new winners with in E class Chris Bell and his crew on board the Sadler 34 Hawk finally prevailing over Jinjy and Simon Filmer for his 1st win of the week. In U class Alan Grose on board his GK24 Popincoota grabbed the spoils from Barry Lukey in Asti and Charlie Choak in Southern Comfort.

Pinafore sailed by Alan Archer won F class demoting the Folkboats of Peter Knight (Sarita) and Richard Webb (Milly) into 2nd and 3rd places.

In the absence of Crackerjack skippered by Mike Webb a new winner of the Multihull class emerged with the Beatus the F27 trimaran of Grant Kelly taking the gun from Electra (Mike Tebbutt) and Alderney Race (Colin Gladwell).

Several of the Bay fleets were scheduled to have 2 races but as the wind failed these were cancelled in favour of a return to shore and an early tea.

The J24 fleet managed just one race, which was won by Johnny Bravo, sailed by Simon and Steve Carter from Just Wind (Jon Peters) and J Whizz (Neil Cameron). Likewise even the speedy Sportsboat class was restricted to just one start which resulted in a win for the J80 Jeronimo sailed by Stephen Hollingsworth from the SB3’s Cardinal Puff (Richard Beaman) and Distinctly Minty (David Evans).

In the Marieholms Annika skippered by Brian Snowden became the 3rd different winner in the 3 races completed in the week so far.

The Carrick fleets enjoyed a leisurely sail around the Roads which saw Rebecca win her 4th race in a row in B class and Lottie win her 2nd in a row in C class. Comet and Lennie Trenoweth likewise confirmed his return to form in the OD class by winning his 2nd race of the week.

James Downie after a couple of 2nd places finally won the Shrimper class sailing Dipper from Camilla (Colin Campbell) and Salamanda (Roger Wood). Likewise Sagitta sailed by Richard Green finally won in the Dragon class having been placed in each of the previous 3 races.

Gwenny V3 sailed by Tony Collins won his 1st race of the week in the Sunbeam class and Athena returned to winning ways in the Ajax class.

The dinghy fleets were restricted to just one race and there were wins for Bob Warren in the RS800 class, Andrew Carter in the Lasers, the Fireball of Robert Fiske-Moore in Class R, and the exotic 49’er of Neil Cooney in the Asymmetric class.

Finally just prove that it is not all about high tec super fast dinghies there was a welcome win for Martin Langshaw in T class sailing a GP14 a design which dates back to the early 1950’s.

ST MAWES SAILING CLUB REGATTA

This was a unique day for POFSA as St Mawes Sailing Club was able to provide live commentary to a giant video screen situated at St Mawes Castle which would receive pictures from a water borne camera of the sailing action on the Carrick Roads.

Andrew Thomas had loaned the equipment to the club and also provided the 6 technicians needed to operate all the specialist equipment.

St Mawes can truly say to have been the first sailing club in the South West to try this new technology and give the shore based spectator live action from the race course.

As luck would have it directly below the screen was the windward mark for all the Carrick fleets and spectators were able to follow the race from the committee boat to the windward mark and then down to the reaching mark at St Just.

The spectators could follow with their naked eye the fleets approaching the windward mark and could return via the camera to watch the next class start.

It was a fascinating achievement aided by computer graphics, which overlaid the course of each class on a map of the Carrick Roads and then transmit to the large screen.

The spectator was fully aware of the action and the marks, which made up the course for each fleet.

Thursday was brilliant with bright sunshine and a light southeasterly wind and the giant screen attracted an audience of around 200/300 spectators. They were able to sit on the grass and sunbathe watching a feast of sailing.

In the Bay fleets Xcellent John Pollard’s Melges 24 suffered its first defeat of the week in Class A. Normal service was resumed for the Race 2 in the class but the defeat by Steve Semmens sailing a sister boat Xcellent (X99) was to prove costly in the final overall results.

Surprisingly a similar occurrence happened in the only race for Class Q with Lingo (Frank Ellwood) suffering her 1st defeat of the week at the hands of Tom Bombadill skippered by Mel Sharp.

In the J24 Class Jon Peters enjoyed a brace of wins to look set to win the week overall.

Ricochet sailed by Kris Hanson also enjoyed an excellent day in E class winning both races held for fleet under the championship format of windward /leeward courses. It set up a good climax to the week as leading boat going into Thursday Jinjy (Simon Filmer) whilst not off the pace could only manage a 4th and an 8th leaving the overall result dependant on the last day’s racing at Royal Cornwall.

Equally in the balance were the Sportsboats who also contested 2 races, which resulted in a win apiece for Cardinal Puff and Jeronimo.

In the Marieholms another day another new winner with Teide taking the bullet skippered by Brian Roberts.

Pinafore won Class F for the 2nd day running but sadly did race the entire week so was out of the reckoning for overall results. Barry Lukey sailing Asti won Class U reversing the previous days result with Popincoota and Alan Grose.

Crackerjack returned to the fray in the Multihull class and resumed winning ways.

Sadly Rebecca could not maintain her winning streak in B class with Florence (Gary Hitchings) just piping Rebecca on handicap by some 20 seconds. In 2001 Irene (Robert Northey) won at St Mawes to foil Abigail Rose in her attempt to sweep the Week and it is ironic that the last boat to achieve the feat was Florence in the early 1970’s. In C Class victory went to Leila followed home by Lottie and Dolly (Barry Prynn).

Local pride was at stake in the One Design fleet and the local boat Buccaneer sailed by Nick and Juliette Leach withstood the Falmouth challenge of Comet (Lennie Trenoweth). Another local boat Marie sailed by Mo Sawle saw off all comers in G class although Harwich visitor David Kerridge sailing Pegasus lead home the locally based Ajax fleet.

Mistress returned to winning ways in the Dragon fleet and Clary won the Sunbeam class both fleets were decimated by at least half the competitors sailing the wrong course.

Roger Wood in Salamanda emerged as the winner in the Shrimper chased home by Narcissus and Grace of St Just (John Benge).

Several of the dinghy fleets managed to sail 2 races and Tim Johnson sailing his RS700 achieved back to back victories in the Asymmetric class as did Bob Warren in the RS800 class, Martin Langshaw in T class, and Justin Eddy in R class. In the Laser class there was a win apiece for Chris Yerbury and Andrew Carter and there was win for Brian Lamb in the Wayfarer class.

ROYAL CORNWALL YACHT CLUB

Final day of the Falmouth Week and although the sun had departed again we at least had more wind to give ideal sailing conditions for the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club.

In the Bay fleets Q class, the Sportsboats, J24s and U class all had set for them 2 championship courses whilst the remaining fleets enjoyed one bay course.

In Q class the visiting yacht Lingo won both races and comfortably won the class overall whilst in the Sportsboat class Cardinal Puff won both starts but with Jeronimo 2nd in Race 1 the overall result went in favour of the J80.

In the J24s Race 1 went to Jasper sailed by Phil Samuels and Jeremy Beeching and Race 2 went to Joyrider and Mark Terrell but Jon Peters in Just Wind by posting 4th and a 3rd had done enough to secure the overall from Johnny Bravo and the Carter family.

Peter Hackett sailing Amneris his Hustler 25 enjoyed a good day at the races in U class finishing 2nd to Asti in Race 1 and winning Race 2 from Moonlighter and Paul Collins. It was not enough however to deny Asti the overall win in the class with Amneris finishing 2nd by 2pts and Moonlighter finishing a further 2 pts adrift in 3rd place.

Xcellent the Melges sailed by John Pollard comfortably won Class A on handicap and with 5 wins and 1x 2nd won the class overall with only 4 races to count. The Contessa 26 Mary Boon sailed by John Cruise won F class for her 2nd win of the week but she could only manage 4th overall in a desperately tight finish in the overall points.

The overall winner was the Folkboat Sarita of Peter Knight who finished 1pt ahead of Milly (Richard Webb) who finished 1pt ahead of Nimble (George Edwards) who was of course 1pt ahead of Mary Boon.

Jinjy had to win Class E to be sure of retaining the silverware she won last year and there was no doubt Simon Filmer and his crew were up for the challenge beating Ricochet and Hawk both over the line and on handicap.

In the Marieholm class John Todd sailing Sundance won his 2nd race of the week and that was sufficient to see him win the class overall.

Mike Webb retained the silverware he won last year in the Multihull class winning all 5 of the races in which he contested and counting 4 wins to post the perfect score in his class.

Rebecca duly returned to winning ways in B class romping home in fine style in the fresh breeze to win from Abigail Rose and Lola (Sandy Creedon).

Equally convincing was Krystal’s victory in C class with Bruce Trevartha and his crew winning both on the water and on handicap from Dolly sailed by Barry Prynn. It was not enough for Dolly however in the overall placings with outright victory going to Lottie by 1pt with Zilpha and Simon Berryman finishing 3rd.

The Dragon class had another new winner in David Jephcott sailing Moonbeam but was not enough to deny Mistress and William Daniels a convincing overall victory with 4 wins and 1x 2nd to count.

A 7th in the final race of the week for Roger Wood in the Shrimper class was enough for him to win the week overall sailing Salamanda. The victory went to George Dines sailing Adela with Narcissus (David Cox) finishing 2nd and also finishing 2nd overall.

Comet back on home waters regained the initiative in the One Design class winning from Robin Hood and Buccaneer to win the week overall by a comfortable margin. Countback however settled the next 3 places with 3 boats tied on the same points total with Choochky taking 2nd, Buccaneer 3rd, and Ariel 4th.

In G class a 7th was also sufficient for Mo Sawle and Marie to win overall despite Emily Alice sailed by Roger Lawrence winning the last race of the week. Athena and David Liddington won the final race of the week in the Ajax class to win the week overall from Bob Edwards sailing Nemesis counting 4 wins and 1x 2nd.

The Sunbeam class went down to the wire with the Class Commodore Bomber Holm in Clary V8 winning the final race and the week overall by 1pt from Neil Andrew in Verity V20. Neil could only manage a 4th in the final race separated from Clary by Pixy V7 (3rd) and Tantivy V38 (2nd) to lose by the narrowest of margins.

In the Wayfarer class Brian Lamb won his 2nd consecutive race but was unable to deny the week overall to Richard Readings sailing Shooting Stars.

In the remaining dinghy classes 2 races were held up at the top of the Carrick Roads and resulted in 2 wins for Bob Warren in the RS800 class to comfortably win the week overall. In T class Nicky Muller our Olympic hopeful made a guest appearance sailing her Europe and won both starts.

This did not affect the overall results with Martin Egan winning the class from Sarah Ireland (Laser Radial) and William Mcgrath (Laser 4.7).

In R Class visitor Roger Ashby won Race 1 of the day but could not stop Justin Eddy who won Race 2 and easily won the regatta overall counting 7 wins and 1x 3rd in his 10 race 2 discard series.

The dominance of one particular boat was also a feature of the Asymmetric dinghy class with Tim Johnson winning the last 2 races of the week and again counting 7 wins and 1x 3rd in his points total.

Finally in the Laser class Chris Yerbury and Andrew Carter shared the spoils in the two races to close the series but Yerbury did not compete throughout the week and had to be content with 3rd overall. Carter secured the overall victory counting 7 wins and 1x 2nd in his points total.

The final act at the overall prize giving at the Royal Cornwall was to announce top boat and this was shared between Lingo in Q class and Xcellent in A class. They could not be separated and therefore share the overall regatta cup.