Weymouth Sailing Club 100 - Yacht Club de Cherbourg 75
by Jez Rees 25 Jun 2013 18:44 BST
21-23 June 2013
YCC President Jean le Carpentier and WSC Vice Commodore Jez Rees exchange burgees accompanied by Anne Mataguez and Marcel Hacquebey (YCC (right) and Steve Fraser (WSC) (left) © Steve Dadd
Twenty-five boats left Weymouth bay on Friday 21st June 0545, heading to Cherbourg to visit our friends at the Yacht Club de Cherbourg (YCC).
The welcome from YCC was fantastic with an enormous Union flag flying from the yacht club flagpole alongside the Normandy flag. During a terrasse BBQ members from both clubs mingled in celebration of YCC's 75th anniversary and WSC's centenary.
YCC President Jean le Carpentier spoke of the friendship between the two clubs and the possibilites for each, both as a cross channel destination and for future racing together. WSC Cruiser class Captain Steve Fraser addressed the terrasse in impeccable French and slightly dodgy english confirming the delight of WSC to be in Cherbourg and of the welcome received, already looking forward to YCC's annual visit to Weymouth next year.
For the racers from WSC, Jez Rees announced the results. Ray and Lynn Capp's Malo 34"Crystella" took the premier position in the PY class for the race over, against fierce competition. Mark and Rima Bugler's J97 "Saskia VII" triumphing in IRC and getting line honours with a fantastic elapsed time of 9hrs 10mins double handed.
Having raced over or cruised, Weymouth Sailing Club boats returned to their moorings on Monday bronzed by the sailing and delighted at the welcome received. Enough to dull the memory of beating into a north westerly! WSC Commodore Kathy Claydon and her boat "Arcsine" missed the event through being somewhere off Portugal whilst sailing the BNY Mellon challenge with JOG.
Centenary events continue through the year with sailing, history and partying all playing their part. We look forward now to the re-launch of the Bussell Cup, a trophy from 1923, which will be sailed in Merlin Rockets against Parkstone Yacht Club on 27th July.