Falmouth Classics Regatta
Published 07:46 on 2 Jul 2024
The Falmouth Classics features three days of racing in the Carrick Roads along with a spectacular parade of classic boats and is now one of the largest classic sailing events in the UK.
On Thursday 13th June, 10 yawls plus their owners set off from Salcombe to meet up with Tom Nappers exiled Y82 in Falmouth to attend the event, accompanied by David and Christine Sworder and their rib which was to provide invaluable support throughout the weekend. At the last-minute Greg and Clare Hoar unwisely showed the weather forecast to Y145 which decided to stay on its pontoon, thus giving them a very relaxing weekend in Falmouth without the boat. The rest of us arrived in Falmouth and the prospect of rigging in torrential rain and heavy winds. The two storey Windjammer café provided a lee to enable stepping the masts with a few hairy moments when the mast was raised above the roof line to meet the full blast of the gale.
That evening the storm passed through in time for the opening reception on the Haven pontoon amongst some of the prettiest boats afloat accompanied by beer and pasties provided by Dynamite Valley Brewery.
The yawls were launched on Friday morning, and we sailed out of the harbour into the Carrick Roads for the first of two races. With 12 class starts and over 150 boats of all sizes, it was quite a change from racing in Salcombe, but having the 100-foot-long ketch Irene of Bridgewater as committee boat meant that we could find the start line easily enough even if locating the remainder of the race marks would test our navigation skills.
The morning race in a fresh breeze provided perfect conditions for open water specialists David Stone and Mark Hazelwood in Y184 to narrowly beat Will Henderson and his heavy weather crew Tris Stone in Y168, with Dan and Gail Bridger in Y98 enjoying the conditions to bring home the first of 3 blue fleet boats.
In the afternoon the wind built steadily to the start of the second race and by the time we got going it was well over 20kts. This proved too much for Y184s rig which conceded defeat, costing them the mast. After negotiating a tricky gybe mark, the remainder of the fleet rapidly made their north to leeward mark, surfing down the swell on a broad reach. The leaders decided they didnt need to bother with the starboard mark en-route which was placed to keep the larger boats away from the shallows, much to the amusement of the race officers, and the rest duly followed the modified course.
And then it suddenly went from seats of the pants exhilarating to scary as the wind strength increased very quickly. Most of the fleet managed to round the windward mark in survival mode but a 40kt gust knocked over and sank the famous Falmouth Working Boat Victory and just behind them Darius and Jane Panahy in Y152 were also knocked over in the same gust and joined them in the water, though luckily not sinking. With many other boats in distress and several lost masts, the race was swiftly abandoned and those still afloat made their way into the relative shelter of the harbour, although Dan must have forgotten he was no longer in a red fleet boat when a moored channel marker refused to give way, leaving him with a ripped sail.
In the evenings there was plenty to see and do in the town, with many onshore events and the International Sea Shanty festival providing a musical backdrop.
Fridays experience did not put off 3 yawls braving the conditions for the final race on Saturday, with Will and Tris winning this race and the overall regatta, AJ Squire and his son in law Simon coming second in Y166 and Tom Napper Y82 crewed by Mike Knowles in third place. Daily prizes were awarded at the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club that evening (which luckily relaxed the dress code) followed by a very enjoyable yawl dinner in Flushing.
Sunday morning and 4 yawls ventured out again to participate in the amazing Parade of Sail which was a truly memorable sight and experience. The conditions had moderated to a gentle breeze and we paraded down to Pendennis Point and back in the company of the Irene of Bridgewater, now under sail, gaff rigger cutters, Falmouth Working Boats and more.
After lunch at the famous Pandora Inn, the prize giving in the Boat Hall of the National Maritime Museum Cornwall surrounded by Olympic winning dinghies concluded a memorable and thoroughly enjoyable trip.
Darius Panahy.
