Royal Cornwall Yacht Club Events

SUNBEAMS SPARKLE

IN

SUPERB SAILING CONDITIONS

Mid June, sixteen Sunbeams took to the water in Falmouth Bay to compete in the Falmouth Fleet’s 85th Anniversary Regatta. Six races were sailed over two days and the fleet enjoyed perfect sailing in sunshine and southerly winds of between F2 – F4.

The 80th Anniversary celebrations for both the Itchenor and Falmouth Fleets were dominated by local Falmouth helms Jonathon Money and Phil Badger. Five years on Itchenor helms prevailed. In 2004 some 11 Solent Sunbeams made the journey down to Falmouth however this year only 3 were able to make the trip. What they were lacking in quantity however they made up in quality.

Danny V26 skippered by Roger Wickens proving to be the top boat at the regatta and achieve the same double accomplished by Jonathon and Phil in 2004 having won the Itchenor 85th Anniversary Regatta last year.

Three races were held in the Bay on Saturday and seasoned PRO Ron Medlyn set three cracking courses with each leg being over one mile. The boats seemed to handle the courses better than the crews with pleas for mercy and requests for shorter courses for Sunday.

By that time Roger Wickens had virtually secured the outright victory with 3 straight bullets. Phantasy helmed by David Townrow provided the most consistent challenge to our talented visitor and posted 2 x 3rds and 1 x 4th to lay 2nd overall overnight.

After a splendid day in the Bay on the Saturday early morning mist on Sunday meant Race Officer Ron deciding to run the first two races of the day in the Carrick Roads.

Roads sailing is more tactical than in the Bay and should accordingly have proved more beneficial to the local sailors. It did have the effect of halting the seemingly relentless march of Team Wickens but Race 4 was won by Penny V42, another Itchenor boat sailed by Julian Money (Jonathon’s brother) and Richard Pearson.

The Falmouth fleet finally notched a win in Race 5 with Phantasy V23 taking the gun and the final race in the Bay was also a home win with victory going to Saucy Sally V10 skippered by Jeff Martin.

The Mylor Yacht Harbour Jubilee Trophy for the overall victory went to Roger Wickens ably crewed by wife Jacky who despite no further wins on Sunday added a couple of 3rds and discarded a 6th to win by 4 points from Phantasy and David Townrow.

Monday was spent as guests of the Falmouth Working Boat fleet and several Itchenor folk enjoyed their first sail on board these legendary ladies of the Carrick Road. Finally on Tuesday the two fleets indulged in a spot of team racing for the Henry Chisholm Bowl and after three races the clean sweep was achieved with victory going to the visitors from the Solent.

Despite a pasting on the water, relations ashore could not have been better with both locals and visitors enjoying magnificent hospitality at the homes of Ray Stedman (Falmouth Class Captain) and Bomber (Falmouth Class Commodore) and a final Class Dinner on Tuesday night at the RCYC for the prize giving and celebratory dinner.

Roll on the 90th it was a brilliant event throughout.

Page last updated: December 29, 2009