Camel Week at Rock Sailing and Waterski Club

The Camel Week fleet sailing in the Commodore's Cup pursuit © George Dale

Seventy-five dinghies entered for the 2012 Camel Week at Rock Sailing & Water Ski Club, plus 16 catamarans and 21 Shrimpers. A tribute to the continuing success of this annual event.

The weather forecast for the week indicated variable wind speeds, sunshine - and rain. However, the first set of races, for the Gentle Jane Cup (dinghies), the Dinham Trophy (cats) and Race 1 of the Eclipse Trophy (Shrimpers) on Saturday was a test for all. Strong winds were the order of the day and it was interesting that the first six boats on corrected time were two-handers: In first place on were Tom Methven and Rob Lloyd in their 29er, 2nd were Roger Deane and Tim Williams in the 5o5 Rock Beat, and taking 3rd place were Mike Pickering and Mike Priddle in the Osprey.

In the Dinham Trophy Jums Greaves and Henry Greville-Collins in their Hobie 16 Smoking Bimbo was first, Ed Chisholm, also in a Hobie 16 was second and Paul and Sam Richardson also in a Hobie 16 Surf City took third place

For the Shrimpers, with Race Officer Gus Guest and his team in charge, Martin and Sarah Pumphrey in Salt Horse II were first over the line, Peter Skinner with Graham Renwick in Black Dog were second and taking third place were David Wade and Adam Brushett in Bonney.

On Sunday the first of two pursuit races for the dinghies and cats, the Renovation Trophy, was run. Chris Creak set a long first lap out to the mouth of the estuary with a smaller circuit within the harbour. The wind had abated and the competitors enjoyed good racing. The first three boats over the line at the finish were all single-handers: Mike Lyons in his Blaze Twist & Shout, followed by Glen Truswell in the Mirage Crumpet, and David Barlett in his Streaker.

Out in the bay the Shrimpers sailed the second of the Eclipse Trophy series Black Dog achieved first place with Bonney second and Salt Horse II third.

Monday was the Brea Buoy Cup for dinghies, the Rush High Flyer for cats and two races for the Shrimpers: the Cibie Cup and the Red Buoy Cup. Wind strength was Force 4

In the Brea Buoy Cup the 29er of Tom Methven and Rob Lloyd took first place followed by Graham and Ben Scroggie in their Merlin Rocket Shmoozie Blue and Greg and Paul Bartlett in their RS500 Stoked. For the cats Smoking Bimbo was again first, followed by Ed Chisholm, while another Hobie 16 Rebel, crewed by Simon and Sally Ellyatt were third.

Out at sea, the Cibie Cup was won by Bonney; second was Black Dog and third place was taken by Paul Harris and Rodd Offer in Juliet. The Red Buoy Cup saw another shuffle at the front of the fleet with Salt Horse II first, John and Louis Greaves in Gazelle second and Black Dog in third place.

Because of a forecast of approaching windy weather, the Race Officer brought forward the second of the week's two pursuit races, the Commodore's Cup, to Tuesday. In a reasonable Force 4, and on a similar course to the earlier Renovation Trophy, the winners yet again were Tom Methven and Rob Lloyd in their 29er. Behind them were the Bartletts in their RS500, while third place was taken by the Osprey of Mike Pickering and Mike Priddle.

Further out at sea, the Shrimpers raced for the John Lees Memorial Trophy. Once again Dave Wade and crew in Bonney were first over the line followed by the Pumphreys in Salt Horse II and Peter Thomas and family in Jowster.

On the following day winds neared gale force so all racing was cancelled., so Camel Silver Salver (cats) the Rock Trophy and the Shrimper St Minver Cup were abandoned in favour of the Porthilly Cup, the Rush High Flyer and the Shrimper Red Buoy Cup which were raced on Thursday.

Yet again, in the Porthilly Cup the winners were the 29er boys; in second place was the Osprey followed in third place by the Barkers in their Fireball.

In the Shrimper race, three Hobie 16s took the first three places: Smoking Bimbo was first with Ed Chisholm second and Rebel third.

Out at sea, the Pumphreys in Salt Horse II took first place with Gazelle in second place and Black Dog third.

Winners of the week's dinghy races, and possibly the youngest ever to gain that distinction, were Tom Methven and Rob Lloyd in their 29er, in second place were the Osprey sailors Mike Pickering and Mike Priddle. Third were Andy Barker and his crew in their Fireball. Jums Greaves in Bimbo with his crew Henry Greville-Collins was first overall in the cat fleet with Ed Chisholm second and the Ellyatts in third place.

Dave Wqade and Adam Brushett in Bonney were the overall winners in the Shrimper Fleet, followed by the Pumphreys in Salt Horse II second and Peter Skinner with Graham Renwick in Black Dog third.

In spite of the weather it was a successful Camel Week on the water. In the Clubhouse, Steward Richard Smith and Chef Henry Waterworth ensured the fleet and their families were well fed and watered. Winner Tom Methven paid tribute to the work of the patrol boats who had a busy time in the breezy conditions.

Full results on the Rock Sailing Club website.