Success for Club Members

Damien and Christine Bloor sailing their yacht ‘Daring’ in

Helford River Sailing Club’s 50th annual L’Aber Wrac’h race

The 92 mile cross Channel L’Aber Wrac’h race is one of the high points of the sailing year at the Helford River Sailing Club. Seventy-Two boats took part in the 50th annual race which was held on the 26th of June 2009.  The race celebrated the partnership and long standing friendship between Helford River Sailing Club and L’Aber Wrac’h.  About 50% of the entries were from France.  The remainder were mainly from the Helford River Sailing Club although a few boats from other local club's took part including ‘Incite’, ‘Noon Hi’, ‘Lady Anne of Falmouth’ and ‘Daring’ from the RCYC.

The principal race is a pursuit race with boats starting between 0900 and 1800 on Friday but there was also an IRC class and a Beneteau class that was being sponsored by Ancasta who are the Beneteau agents in the West Country. 

‘Daring’, which is a Beneteau First 36.7 owned by Damien and Christine Bloor, started at 1600.  At that time visibility was poor with fog on the English side of the Channel.  The light southerly wind rarely blew more than 12 knots but frequently dropped off to about 3 knots around dawn on Saturday.   After crossing slightly to the East of the rumb line at the beginning of the race, ‘Daring’ sailed through an idyllic warm star lit night and avoided a 400M long container ship doing 26 knots to finish at Libenter mark off L’Aber Wrac’h at 1149BST on Saturday morning. 

As there were no other yachts in sight, Daring’s crew thought that they had blown it and that the rest of the fleet had been enjoying French hospitality for several hours.  However, as they approached the marina and saw no other competitors, it became clear that they were the first boat to finish.  ‘Daring’ achieved first place overall, won the Gun Carriage trophy which is awarded to the first British boat, the Beneteau and IRC Cups and a whole host of gifts provided by generous sponsors including enough booze to sink the boat, oysters and some rather nice French cosmetics (not worn by the skipper). 

This is the second time that Damien and Christine have taken part in the L’Aber Wrac’h race.  The first was in 2007 when they were placed 11th sailing two handed in their Dehler 34 ‘Artful’. Damien and Christine say that this was a great event and they thoroughly recommend taking part in the race and extensive festivities on both sides of the Channel to other members who have not already done so.

Page last updated July 14, 2009