British Moth Open at Fowey Gallants Sailing Club
by Georgia Honey 1 Jun 2009 17:07 BST
23-24 May 2009
Cornish hospitality for the British Moths at Fowey Gallants © Georgia and Laura Honey
Cornish hospitality, generous sponsorships,and champagne sailing conditions in beautiful Fowey greeted the British Moths for their “Salty Weekend”.
Race Officer par excellence John Burford set a series of short races in the Harbour on both days with a final up-river battle against the Spring tides in the Golant area on the Sunday afternoon.
With the Moth Helms in high spirits after keelboat racing on the Friday evening, Saturday saw an overall win by Roger Witts in 827 using the new Banks development sail. (700 in the pictures)
The light winds improved thro the day to ideal Moth conditions of Force 2-3 and gave the Moths fantastic conditions
Racing, as per usual with the Moths, was extremely close around the cans. Bill Gribble 838 showing good form but tending to lose out in the close quarter battles, usually to the seasoned campaigners Andrew Parker-Mowbray 833 and Graham Pope 840. Last years “Cornish Champ” Laura Honey 700 despite her upwind speed missed out in the tight racing and usual buoy rounding squabbles.
Sunday saw even better conditions with a good wind from the start of racing.With much boat swapping enabling the Juniors a chance to join in with the fun Sundays racing was a little less serious due to the previous nights Indoor Troy Racing and Cider sampling ceremony !
None the less excellent courses were again set by John Burford and an army of enthusiastic supporters and race helpers in the Launch.
Sunday was Graham Pope,s day …ever popular Graham [looking more Cornish with his rosy cheeks as the week progressed!] was certainly on the pace and enjoying the conditions. Often with Mark “New Boy” Wiltshire 817 and Jeremy Higson 861 in very close company it was these 3 who showed best before the Lunch break.
Against an incoming tide Pope was the most consistent and despite the high pointing “New Boy” and the ever present Jeremy Higson and Bill Gribble, his race craft usually pulled him through to take the Golant Trophy.
Lunch back at Penmarlam was followed by up river racing at Golant for the Golant Up-River Challenge.
The racing area saw several Moths struggle last year and this year was to be no exception.
Of the 2 races held in a 4-5 knot tide it was Junior Joe Burford-827- Fowey Gallants S.C.who having showed a liking for the Moth in the Harbour left the fleet for dead in the tricky conditions winning both races in fine style. Clearly mastering the conditions and the boat, Oppie squaddie Joe [who managed a well deserved 2nd in the Oppie S.W.Champs the following weekend] took all in his stride and out-sailed the “pondies”. Others faired less well needless to say...
Special thanks go to our sponsors The St Austell Brewery and Healey's Cornish Cyder Farm [“Rattler” Cider] for their support. Thanks also to Fowey Gallants S.C, Commodore - Alan Toms and all at the Club who made us so welcome again. Finally a huge thank you to John, Kate, Alice and Joe Burford for their help in organizing the whole event and once again making Fowey such a welcoming venue for Moths.
If you sail a British Moth and are down in Fowey call into the Upper Deck Chandlery and say hi to John...
Overall Results:
“Salty Trophy” Saturday 23rd May
1st Roger Witts, 827 (Frampton-on-Severn S.C.)
2nd Andrew Parker-Mowbray, 833 (Frampton-on-Severn S.C.)
3rd Graham Pope, 840 (Frampton-on-Severn S.C.)
Golant Trophy Sunday 24th May
1st Graham Pope, 840 (F.O.S.S.C.)
2nd Mark Wiltshire, 817 (F.O.S.S.C.)
3rd Jeremy Higson, 861 (F.O.S.S.C.)
Golant Up-River Challenge Sunday 24th May
1st Joe Burford, 827 (Fowey Gallants S.C.)
2rd Graham Pope, 840 (F.O.S.S.C.)
3rd Andrew Parker-Mowbray, 833 (F.O.S.S.C.)
Most Improved Moth Helm at Fowey, Bill Gribble, 838 (F.O.S.S.C.)