Camel Week at Rock Sailing and Waterski Club
by George Dale 14 Aug 2011 19:03 BST
6-13 August 2011
For the last three years the Camel Week regatta at Rock has been a breezy affair and 2011 was no exception. A total of 102 boats came to Rock for the event and over the six days of the series had some exciting sailing for the many pots up for grabs.
The fleets were divided into dinghies and multihulls, and Shrimpers. For the dinghies and multihulls the Race Officer was Lynn Hough with a party of lady helpers; for the Shrimpers, Gus Guest assisted by Les Duff did the honours.
Overall winner of the week was Shmoozy Blue, the Merlin Rocket of Graham Scroggie crewed by Ben Scroggie, who achieved a really consistent score of five second places from the six races. In second place was Paul Hemsley's Blaze Zig Zag. Another Blaze sailed by Peter Barlow was third while Roger Williams' Blaze White Light was fourth (a Blaze of Glory?).
In the multihull fleet of fourteen boats the winners were Mike and Viki Coulson in their Hurricane 5.9 Erbits, with Ed and Cecilia Chisholm's Hobie 16 second and Paul and Sam Richardson's Hobie 16 Surf City in third place.
Meanwhile, the 18-strong Shrimper fleet were experiencing rugged conditions further out to sea. The front end of the fleet enjoyed some close racing with the first two boats ending equal on points. The winner, on the basis of a higher place discard was Bonney sailed by Chris and Annie Creak; in second place was Black Dog with Peter Skinner at the helm and crewed by Graham Renwick, while third place was taken by Ian Chisholm's Jenny Lind, crewed by Sander Sera.
In spite of the breezy, sometimes damp weather, the fleets had excellent sailing with two notable exceptions: in the fast monohull division of the dinghy fleet the first black flag penalty ever awarded during Camel Week's long history was given, and in the Shrimper fleet Trehane Oliver in Custom Made, decided enough was enough and went overboard! He was rescued safely and none the worse (or not much) for the experience. Tribute was paid to the work carried out in the brisk conditions during the week by the patrol boat crews under their leader James Collins
Ashore, the fleet enjoyed the Commodore's reception, a barbecue, the Family Quiz night and an exceptional evening of Motown to Modern music put on by Soul'd Out, a six-piece group with vocalist. With such a large entry, Steward Richard Smith and Chef Henry Waterworth and their teams kept the Clubhouse running smoothly under the direction of Rear Commodore Jane Parr.
Overall Results:
Dinghies
Brea Buoy Cup - Mike Lyons, Blaze
Porthilly Cup, Gentle Jane Cup, Rock Trophy and Commodore's Cup - Tom Offer, foiling Moth
Overall winners of the week - Graham and Ben Scroggie, Merlin Rocket
Multihulls
Dinham Trophy - Georgina and Peter Williams
Renovation Trophy, Rush High Flyer and Chisholm Cup - Mike and Viki Herbert-Coulson, Hurricane 5.9
Camel Silver Salver - Ed and Cecilia Chisholm, Hobie 16
Overall winners of the week - Mike and Viki Herbert-Coulson, Hurricane 5.9
Shrimpers
Shrimper Eclipse Trophy and John Lees Memorial - Chris and Annie Creak
Red Buoy Cup - Peter Skinner and Graham Renwick
Cibie Cup - John Greaves and Peter Allen
St Minver Cup - Ian Chisholm and Sander Sera
Overall winners of the week - Chris and Annie Creak
Full results on the Rock Sailing and Water Ski Club website.