August Bank Holiday sailing weekend should have started on the Saturday with Portscatho Village Regatta, however, the weather had other ideas. In the morning it was heavy rain and moderate to strong south westerly wind, in the afternoon it dried up, but the wind backed to the west and increased to strong to gale. Robin Edwards the Regatta Organiser and Race Officer had to, in the last fourteen years call a cancellation to all sailing. The Shoreside Carnival, fete, and all shoreside activities still were run. The huge crowd assembled in the village and ‘Bar sailing’ was enjoyed.
The absence of Portscatho encouraged a good turn out on the Bank Holiday Monday at the Pandora Inn Cup Race. The weather was perfect with clear skies and a brisk westerly wind. As the Pandora is tidal the race was held in the late afternoon so the finish off the Pub pontoons had sufficient water for the five to six foot draughted boats.
Mylor Yacht Club kindly provided the Race Committee and boat with Steve Nicholls setting the course. The start was in Carrick Roads off Mylor Yacht Harbour with a course around the top of the estuary. The wind coming over the land funnelled down brisk gusts and the B and C feets were in close competition. The length of the race was critical to allow time for the tide to fill the Devoran Creek. B Fleet set off at 4.30 with C at 4.35pm. High tide was at eight o’clock so a one and a half hour race in the Roads would then give ample water up the creek.
After one and half hours racing it was Sam Heard in Meloris who came sluicing up the creek on the incoming tide .Just behind Sam was Grace and Lola, then a three minute gap to Victory, Rebecca, Moon and Florence, then Evelyn and Winnie.
The C fleet followed in with Iris Elizabeth with guest helm and crew (Phil and Jilly Slater off Lottie) to take line honours over Deliverance,Leila, Juanita and Truth. Truth being undercanvassed was last to enter the creek by which time the tide (which sluiced the rest of the fleet up to the finish) and the wind had eased making it very slow for them to finish to rapturous cheers from the shore. Full marks to them for their persistence.
After finishing several boats moored up on the end pontoon fully rigged in the now lighter breeze making a wonderful spectacle for the packed customers of the pub. It was Moon who got alongside first which enabled her owner, local sailmaker, Patrick Selman to be able to inspect his beloved boat from the Pontoon. Patrick who has been undergoing recent medical issues and not well enough to sail has really kindly let his boat be sailed by local crews keeping her active in the Fleet.
The Pandora Inn provided superb hospitality of a barrel of beer and delicious pasties for all on the end of the pontoons. John Peters called out the results on corrected handicap times, and Cam from The Pandora presented the winners with their trophies. Special thanks went to the Mylor Yacht Club team on the Committee Boat and rescue rib, and a good cheer of thanks to The Pandora Inn.
The results on corrected Handicap times are:
B Class
1st. Amy Creedon sailing Lola a Mk. 2 GRP
2nd. Sam Heard sailing Meloris a Mk. 3 GRP
3rd. Milly Trevaskes sailing Grace Mk. 2 GRP
4th. Steve Miles sailing Florence first WOOD Boat
5th. Dave Townrow sailing Victory WOOD
6th. Verity Slater sailing Rebecca Mk. 1 GRP
7th. Steve Hills sailing Moon Mk. 2 GRP
8th. Will Semken sailing Evelyn WOOD
9th. Martyn Paige sailing Winnie WOOD
C Class
1st. Phil Slater sailing Iris Elizabeth GRP
2nd Rob McPherson sailing Deliverance GRP
3rd. Adam Bird sailing Leila WOOD
4th. Brian Steptoe sailing Juanita WOOD
5th. Toby Ashworth sailing Truth GRP
