The South West 3 Peaks Yacht Race
by Tim Whitaker 1 Jul 2013 14:42 BST
21-22 June 2013
Teams lined up for the South West 3 Peaks Yacht Race start in St Mawes © Amelia Whitaker
The race started in glorious sunshine in St Mawes, all teams completing the run to St Just and back within 5 minutes of each other. Teams then rowed out to their boats and the first yacht to get away was Team Firefly, then the rest all together with Team Cosawes Catwomen slightly further back.
Everyone had a glorious sail to Newlyn, the first leg to the Manacles being a fast reach. Everyone that is except Team Serefe who were dismasted off the Lizard and had to be towed by lifeboat back to Falmouth.
The first teams in to Newlyn, Team Hobbit and Firefly, were able to get to Land's End and back in
daylight,however with the weather conditions getting progressively worse, a particular mention
should go to Team Puff, Romanito and Cosawes Catwomen who had to brave the coastal path in the
dark and pouring rain.
Teams Hobbit, Firefly and Puff all managed a rough but speedy run to Fowey. Chris Ogg skipper of
Team Hobbit said "I have been round Cape Horn and know what rough seas are and the Lizard that
night was pretty rough".
Team Cosawes Catwomen ventured out of Newlyn on that stormy night and after encountering
some rough seas and dropping off a couple of very large waves, made a tactical retreat back to
Newlyn. Team Romanito in the smallest boat in the fleet battled round the Lizard, but with not a
single piece of dry clothing between them sailed into Falmouth and retired.
The battle between team Hobbit and Team Firefly looked like it would go down to the wire, the gap
between the two teams never more than 30 mins and sometimes down to 4 minutes.
Both teams had very fast runs from Fowey to Plymouth, James Hoddinott from team Hobbit said it
was the best sail of his life and their boat "Proper Job" was regularly sailing at 18 knots.
However Team Firefly got into Plymouth 20 mins ahead of Hobbit. Firefly's lead was cut to 10 mins
at the Top of Yes Tor, however their cyclists (who were the only ones to have done all 4 legs (quite
an achievement)) took the wrong route on the way back using the A Road, this meant they had to
retire from the overall cup, leaving Team Hobbit as clear winners with Team Puff worthy runners up.
A tired but elated Team Hobbit celebrating victory in Plymouth.
More photos can be found here.
Overall Results:
1) Team Hobbit (Yacht J111 Proper Job from Fowey)
2) Team Puff (Yacht 45' Grand Soleil Magic Dragon from Newton Ferrers)
Handicap Results: (for all 3 legs combined)
1) Team Firefly (Yacht 42' Humphries Firefly from Salcombe)
2) Team Hobbit
3) Team Puff
Teams:
Cosawes Catwomen – from Mylor
Team Firefly – from Salcombe
Team Hobbit – from Fowey
Team Puff – from Newton Ferrers
Team Serefe – from Falmouth
Team Romanito – from Falmouth