Fowey to St Mawes Coastal Race
by Alex McKay 13 May 16:23 BST
10 May 2025
Sunshine, strategy, and a spectacular start to the season
The Fowey Cruiser Fleet launched its 2025 coastal series in glorious conditions, with the first of five races taking crews from Fowey to St Mawes. Sunshine and a steady breeze made for a cracking day on the water, as 6 of the now 14 registered Cruiser Class boats joined the early-season outing.
All boats set off under a 200-minute pursuit format using the RORC YTC rating system, with Harry Holding and Team Dakota first out of the harbour, setting the pace. Hans and the lads on Juliette, their newly acquired J24, were sharp off the blocks. Kas Deneshkhan on Outlaw of Lundy and David Vipond on Nova Scotia followed close behind, heading out past Cannis Rock under white sails.
Slipstream, Sunny Side Sailing's Sigma 35 helmed by Andrew Dellow, launched themselves over the Yacht Club Line with a newly-fitted Code Zero and a determined eye on the fleet. Tony Bloomer aboard his sleek new X40 Arima brought size and pace into the mix.
Kites went up as the fleet whipped out towards the Radar Buoys off Dodman. Hans Wehmeyer — fresh back from victory in Antigua — made the most of lighter-than-expected breeze near Gorran Haven and Mevagissey to edge ahead early.
As the fleet rounded Radar C and began the beat east to Radar B, the breeze built from 6-8 knots to a solid 12-14. Longer waterlines came into their own, with Slipstream narrowing the gap to the lead pack. At the windward mark, spinnakers went up once again, and the boats ran dead downwind to St Anthony's.
By the 200-minute mark — the theoretical equaliser — Juliette had a quarter-mile lead with Nova Scotia, Slipstream, Dakota, and Outlaw charging along line abreast, Arima closing in from the east.
Tactics came into play: offshore for more pressure but stronger tide? Stick inshore on hotter angles and less tide but less breeze? Or hey diddle diddle, straight up the middle on the '180 highway'? The game was on.
Juliette held her lead, but the battle behind was fierce. Slipstream flirted with Gull Rock, Nova Scotia edged Outlaw, and Dakota thrived on the downwind leg — pole on the shrouds, loving the conditions.
As Falmouth shimmered off the port bow, the fleet rounded St Anthony's and reached into the Percuil River. A short, punchy beat to the finish followed. Juliette claimed line honours, but the win — by just 45 seconds — went to Dakota, who powered upstream on a single tack to take the first victory of the season.
We were delighted to see so many cruisers out and racing — this series is all about accessible, sociable coastal racing, and this was a great start. We're heading next to Plymouth, Newton Ferrers, Falmouth, and Helford. New boats are always welcome, so please come and join the fun. Racing is organised by the Fowey Sailing Committee, visit www.foweysailing.org.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Boat Name | Class | Helm | Rating | Start | Finish | Elapsed | Corrected | Points |
|---|
| 1 | 1454 | Dakota | Sadler 25 | Harry Houlding | 1050 | 10.2 | 15:22:10 | 52.10 | 4.47.47 | 1 |
| 2 | 94R | Slipstream | Sigma 35 | Andrew Dellow | 902 | 10.5 | 15:10:14 | 4.20.14 | 4.48.30 | 2 |
| 3 | 48 | Outlaw of Lundy | Ballad | Kasra Deneshkhah | 985 | 10.33 | 15:18:54 | 4.45.54 | 4.50.15 | 3 |
| 4 | 349 | Nova Scotia | Albin Nova | David Vipond | 961 | 10.38 | 15:18:10 | 4.40.10 | 4.51.32 | 4 |
| 5 | GBR4507 | Arima | X40 | Tony Bloomer | 826 | 11:05 | 15:34:15 | 04:29:15 | 05:25:58 | 5 |
| 6 | 4105 | Juliette | J24 | Hans Wehmeyer | 977 | 10.3 | 15:05:01 | 5.251 | 5.32.40 | 6 |