Sunbeam Championship at Royal Cornwall Yacht Club
by Ray Stedman 12 Sep 2011 09:46 BST
3-4 September 2011
Sunbeam nationals at Falmouth © Kelmar Photo
The maestro is back
Jonathan Money won the 87th Anniversary Sunbeam Championship held over the weekend of 3/4th September, after two years out of the class. He had to work hard against stiff competition to helm V18 Polly to success and take the Mylor Yacht Harbour Jubilee Championship Trophy.
The six races were held in Falmouth Bay under the burgee of the RCYC. Race Officer Jack Penty and his race team dealt with a range of wind from moderate to strong conditions from the South and South West that at times were more than enough in the gusts for the boats dating back to 1924. The last race saw a move to the Carrick Roads to try and shelter but this was abandoned to the relief of the tired competitors as a 30 knot squall came through.
The racing saw 13 competitors battle it out on the windward/leeward courses with three races per day.
As Jonathan said in his victory speech the racing was really close with all of the Class competing to the highest level, with out doubt the strongest and best one design Class in the harbour at present.
There are now a total of 26 of these beautiful traditional boats in the Sunbeam Class based in Falmouth. This year three new owners have bought boats from the Solent Sunbeam Class, the Solent having now separated from the Class in order to embrace GRP boats.
Race Results:
The George Cork Trophy
1st V18, Polly, Jonathan Money
2nd V21, Maranui, Hon Evelyn Boscawen (Timmy Bailey helm)
3rd V10, Saucy Sally, John Lowry (Pete Crockford helm)
The Tudor Rose Bowl
1st V10, Saucy Sally
2nd V19, Painted Lady, Stuart Sawyer
3rd V19, Maranui
The RCYC Challenge Cup
1st V18, Polly
2nd V19, Painted Lady
3rd V10, Maranui
The Boat House Trophy
1st V18, Polly
2nd V19, Painted Lady
3rd V48, Racy Lady, David Richards
Polly’s Plate
1st V18, Polly
2nd V19, Painted Lady
3rd V10, Saucy Sally
Overall Results:
1st V18, Polly, Jonathan Money
2nd V19, Painted Lady, Stuart Sawyer
3rd V10, Saucy Sally, John Lowry
A great weekend of racing was enjoyed by all with much close quarter sport. In the final race less than 2 minutes separated the finishers. One design wooden boat race is alive and well in Falmouth, this year has seen more younger helms and owners join the fleet. For further details contact Sunbeam Class Captain Ray Stedman 07900 493215.