First week in September and changeable weather conditions prevail. The forecast for the Saturday afternoon was very light southerly to south easterly light winds.
The Race office opted for Southerly Courses, other Clubs were using the top end of Carrick Roads marks so the only courses available were in the mouth of the estuary. By two o’clock the wind had freshened to a force four and a long two round course was set taking the fleets from start to Vilt Buoy and out as far as Blackrock Buoy. By the start time of 2.30pm the wind had freshened and wind over tide was throwing up white horses. Concerned for the smaller boats, the course was shortened from Blackrock back to Governor Buoy. However this was a one sided beat and the course was reverted back to the first one.
Five B Class boats came to the start and Sam Heard in Meloris surged across the line, leading the fleet in close company to Vilt Bouy.
In C Class four boats lined up and Deliverance with guest helm Phil Slater led the fleet chasing B on the same course.
MELORIS, HELEN MARY, MOON, REBECCA, FLORENCE REACHING OFF THE START LINE
DELIVERANCE, LEILA, IRIS ELIZABETH, DOLLY OFF THE START LINE
At the Vilt Buoy it was a beat out to Blackrock with the tide and against the fresh wind. Boats split tacks and the ones opting for the Falmouth side seemed to gain on the ones on the St.Mawes shore. From Blackrock it was a run against the tide back to the gate, where some boats were in slight confusion. Approaching the gate from the side you could go through it in either direction, for future reference the rule states that on all rounds and on the last leg to the finish the gate will be sailed from East to West.
After one and a half hours of competitive racing the fleets ran up the harbour to finish on the Club Line. B Class came home with Donal O’Halloran sailing Moon to take line honours just in front of Sam Heard in Meloris, followed by Verity Perham in Rebecca. Then in a neck and neck battle the two St.Mawes based boats, Steve Miles in Florence and Callum Ferris with the Rita crew on board in Helen Mary.
C Class were a bit more spread out at the finish, Peter Cauldwell in Iris Elizabeth revelling in the fresh breeze. Next came Bailer and Paul Ferris borrowing their old boat Dolly and Adam Bird in Leila. It wasn’t Deliverance’s day. Gary Denning and Darren crewing for the guest helm Phil Slater had reset their rig, which didn’t work in the brisk winds.
Results on the correct handicaps:
B Class. 1st.Moon. Joint 2nd. At exactly the same time, Rebecca and Florence. 4th. Helen Mary. 5th. Meloris. The trophy for the first wood boat home went to Florence.
C Class. 1st. Iris Elizabeth. 2nd. Dolly. 3rd. Leila 4th. Deliverance.
MOON LEADING B CLASS TO THE FINISH
IRIS ELIZABETH LEADING C CLASS TO THE FINISH
The race was in memory of the Brothers Paul and Leon who were Brothers of Joe Grimshaw and Bruce Travarton. They were very keen sailors in the early days, sailing a regularly with Toby West in Victory.
But the Brothers are best remembered for their social ‘bar sailing’ . This involved a few beers and a lot of singing. Leon was very proficient on his guitar which filled in with the voices to give a glorious sound.
A special trophy made by another of their crew, David Shone the local dentist, of a little wood guitar on a turned wood block is always presented to the first wood boat across the line, which this year was Florence. Unfortunately they didn’t turn up at the prize giving.
All the other boat crews assembled at The Seaview Inn who generously sponsored the race. A barrel of Verdant Potion No.9 beer was provided with very tasty Indian rice dishes.
The day was also The Falmouth Sunbeam annual Championships and several crew who normally sail the Working Boats were out on the Sunbeams racing in the Bay. A good contingent of the Sunbeam crews turned up at the Seaview to join in the prize giving which made for a packed throng.
Joe and Bruce presented the prizes of engraved Tankards for the Winners accompanied by bottles of gin and tonics. They always make a point of opening the bottles and pouring gin and tonic into the tankards so that everyone can share in a drink. This came about when a few winners used to grab the full bottles and disappear out the door, you’ve got to share!
After the presentations when voices were lubricated a rousing singsong led by Joe and Bruce, joined by Tim and Marshall Vinnecombe raised the Seaview roof and the beer kept flowing, ‘just like the old days!’ What an enjoyable afternoon and evening.
JOE AND BRUCE IN FULL VOICE