IRC Mini Series at Henri Lloyd Falmouth Week 2013
by David Cunliffe 18 Aug 2013 23:40 BST
11-13 August 2013
The main part of Henri Lloyd Falmouth Week for the IRC Yachts this Year was the new Mini Series over the first three days. This event came under the Port of Falmouth Sailing Association with the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club as the host Club for this event. Those wanting the full Week were able to continue racing and carry over their Mini Series results with each Club in the Port having their a day for the racing.
The Mini Series took place in Falmouth Bay where visiting yachts were impressed by the Race Management and the fact you could see the seabed in the clear waters in shallow areas. Three races were scheduled each day from Sunday to Tuesday in a variety of wind strengths. All the nine races were sailed in lighter winds apart from the Monday on Mylor YC day when there was a brisk breeze. Each day, some skillful and tactical sailing was required to read the wind shifts. In Division 1, Stuart Sawyer's J97 Black Dog, now heading to the J Cup in Plymouth, had some good practice and dominated but nevertheless she did not achieve a clean sheet of results as George Pettifor's Foxtrot spoiled it to come 2nd overall with Stephen Cutforth's Daydream 3rd and these two had a good battle.
In Division 2, there was some very close racing for 1st and 3rd overall. On Helford River SC's first day, Geoff Davies in the vintage Half Tonner Scorpion won that day over the three races. On the second day David Cunliffe's Laser 28 Encore fought John Allen in his X302 Antix and managed 1st for the Mylor YC day and Encore repeated this on the final day when again the racing was very close with much place changing between these two. The home Port for Antix is Whitby and she certainly travelled a long way to compete and also sail some other West Country events. John Hick in the smallest yacht, the J24 Jitterbug, was consistent in challenging for 3rd overall and secured it on the last day after close racing with Scorpion on handicap.
When the points were totted up, Encore secured 1st overall ahead of Antix. A reception and prizegiving followed at the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club and several yachts went on to compete in the remainder of Falmouth Week. The Club together with POFSA intend to build on this IRC Mini Series 3 day event, especially with many yacht owners finding it more and more difficult for crews to spare a full week of sailing.
IRC Falmouth Mini Series Results:
Division 1
1 Black Dog, 8pts
2 Foxtrot, 19pts
3 Daydream, 22pts
Division 2
1 Encore, 13pts
2 Antix, 16pts
3 Jitterbug, 26pts
falmouthweek.co.uk