South West Sailing

MYLOR MAGIC

Andy Tyler — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 10:25:03 +0000

It is very easy to write about a subject you enjoy, as the words tend to flow quiet easily if the topic is of interest. Sailing in Falmouth is very special as the sailing waters are exceptional with little commercial traffic and thanks to the efforts of South West Water and their long suffering bill payers fairly clean.

You could say however that clean water and good sailing waters can be found else where in the UK and I would be forced to agree but add in interesting local sailing fleets, shipyards of all shapes and sizes and a geographical location that continues to bring a vast array of visitors and you have a unique mix unrivalled anywhere in the world.

Last Wednesday it was the turn of the Working Boat fleet to take centre stage with the Silver Oyster Race to celebrate an historic legal victory for the oystermen over the Fishery regulators in 1901.

Mylor Yacht Club was the venue for the 31st SOR and it was a very special event as always a gathering of friends both old and new and a chance to forget “credit crunches” and poor fishing returns and savour friendship and camaraderie in a glorious waterside location overlooking the oyster fishery.

As luck would have it the weather was sunny and cold with a northerly force 3-4 in attendance giving the combined fleets of licensed and unlicensed working boats a delightful sail across the oyster beds to Messack, St Just and back to Mylor.

After a couple of turns around the course the fleets adjourned ashore for a pasty and a pint at the Clubhouse. New Chairman of POFSA Steve Nicholls was the Race Officer and Master of Ceremonies ashore and Sue Treneer presented the trophies.

In Class C for unlicensed boats Sapphire (Chris Simmonds) finished 1st with Muriel (Steve Miles) in 2nd place whilst in B Class Moon (Pat Selman) took the gun from Irene (Robert Northey) and Agnes (Robin Snelson).

In the Licensed fleets Dolly (Barry Prynn) won C Class from Girl Sarah (Adam Davies/Timmie Bailey) and in B Class the Silver Oyster went to Chris Ranger on board Alf Smythers from Ian Shield and the Molly.

Molly in fact had taken the gun but Ian confessed to as yet not having commenced dredging so retired and surrendered the beautiful Silver Oyster trophy to the Alf Smythers crew.

All in all a brilliant event organized by Mylor Yacht Club, which demonstrates all the strengths that sailing has to offer in Falmouth and no doubt Steve Nicholls will as the new chairman of POFSA seek to reaffirm in Falmouth Week 2009.

Events like the SOR make our regattas so different to the average fare on offer around the country. Falmouth Week should not mirror other events but celebrate what makes it different - every day a new Sailing Club and a new start line offering the best estuary sailing anywhere in the UK.

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49’er INLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS

Andy Tyler — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 10:22:09 +0000

The 49’er fleet gathered at Grafham Water last weekend for the Inland Championship and some 24 boats assembled for a seven-race one-discard regatta.

On Saturday 4 races were completed in cold blustery conditions with the wind gradually increasing throughout the programme to reach 30 knots in some gusts.

Truro’s Andy Walsh having been forced to abandon an Olympic Tornado campaign after the Class was dropped from the 2012 Olympics has started to find his form in the 49’er. As a skiff it is notoriously difficult to sail as any mistake means a capsize and as wind strength increases its ability to stay upright diminishes. Anything over 25 knots and the fleet normally retire ashore as breakages start to mount.

Walsh with crewman Simon Marks posted 2 x 4th an 8th and a 9th to be well placed overnight despite the testing conditions. The wind lightened on Sunday and Andy and Simon posted a 2nd and win to steadily move up the overall standings to finish 4th overall.

Restronguet’s Ed Powys crewed for UK Olympic sailor Simon Hiscocks and the pair finished 12th overall.

The UK is blessed with strength in depth in nearly every Olympic class and the 49’er is no exception so it will be interesting to see how Andy Walsh progresses in the fleet next year assuming he remains committed to Olympic sailing and the Tornado fails to be reinstated for 2012.

The ISAF are meeting in Madrid as I write this article and despite the efforts of Mylor’s Brian Phipps who is in Spain seeking to get the Tornado back in the Olympics it would appear a done deal that there will be no catamarans in the Games for the foreseeable future.

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Vendee Globe

Andy Tyler — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:22:07 +0000

30 intrepid sailors set off at Sunday lunchtime for the start of the 6th edition of the Vendee Globe. This really is the Everest of the Seas with 41 of the 60 sailors who have sailed around the world non-stop achieving the feat whilst competing in the Vendee.

It promises to be a really exciting event with thrills and spills guaranteed as 30 of the worlds finest sailors do battle for victory in the toughest race in any sport in the world.

Some 36 hours into the event and a vicious Biscay storm with massive seas and a 50-knot breeze has already taken its toll with 7 skippers returning to Les Sables d’Olonne for repairs.

Notable returnees include race favourites Bernard Stamm and Michel Desjoyeaux but also sadly Alex Thomson the UK sailor who was already handicapped by suffering a severe crash just prior to the event and having to instigate rush repairs just to make the start line. A large crack has appeared in the hull of his Open 60 Hugo Boss and it would appear the crash damage was more substantial that first thought and could mean the end of his dream after barely 24 hours serious racing.

A novel rule in the Vendee means that the start line is open for 10 days after the official start so in theory any returnee could re-start with Wednesday 19th November being the cut off date.

Stamm and Desjoyeaux have already returned to the fray but 24 hours in arrears may even in a 3-month yacht race just be too great a margin to catch up.

Given their abilities it would be foolish to write off their chances just yet but some informed observers believe the leaders in the fleet could well finish within hours of each other and that after 26,000 miles of racing and some 80 odd days at sea.

Currently three Frenchmen Jean Pierre Dick, Roland Jourdain and Loick Peyron are disputing the lead with Mike Golding some 40 miles in arrears the best placed Brit in 10th place.

It should compulsive viewing over the next few months as good as any TV drama and the ultimate reality TV show but for real. I wish fair winds and a safe return for all the fleet. Catch all the action on the official website www.vendeeglobe.org which is full of excellent content about all aspects of the race.

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CORNWALL IN THE DOLDRUMS

Andy Tyler — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 10:46:40 +0000

It is a source of bitterness for me that the proposals to redevelop the Watersports Centre into a sailing academy some 8/9 years ago failed to get off the ground. Many would say get over it – it is history move on but in writing about sailing on a weekly basis I am continually struck by that lost opportunity.

I was with the RYA at their office in the Hamble last week and in discussing the build up to Weymouth in 2012 there are several major sailing events in the pipeline and all involve using the facilities of the RYA Sailing Academies built around 2000.

Falmouth was the only one of 7 such academies not built and I believe it is a tragedy of almost epic proportions that local politics prevented the Watersports Centre becoming a major UK regatta venue.

The International Laser Association the ruling body of the Laser Class based in Falmouth has brought the 2010 Laser World Championships to the UK for the first time in since 1988.

In 1988 the Standard Rig event was based in Falmouth and attracted 88 entries come 2010 numbers for the Standard Rig fleet will probably be around 150 plus and for the Radial Rig around 250. Add on the 4.7 Rig and in all probability some 500 Laser sailors plus families, friends and coaches will be visiting the UK.

It will be too big an event to stage in one location and so has been split in two with the Largs and the Hayling Isle sailing academies hosting the various fleets. You cannot blame the ILA for ignoring Falmouth as quiet simply the facilities ashore are not up to hosting such major events.

Falmouth is however the 3rd largest natural harbour in the world and is such an asset it is almost criminal that the RDA and Government Agencies do not focus more resources on utilizing its potential.

I happily concede that the Funchal 500 surprised and exceeded my expectations this year but only serves to underline the opportunities we continue to miss out on for the lack of shore side facilities.

The continuing development of the University of Cornwall is a golden opportunity to incorporate a waterside students union facility to include a water sports academy encompassing sports such as diving, water skiing, jet skis, canoeing and of course sailing.

Add into the mix some adjoining student accommodation and you have a ready-made event centre for use throughout the summer during the University vacation. It is of course not that simple but it really should be as the logic is overwhelming that we would all benefit from such a development.

This summer has in hindsight been a disaster for our tourism industry and a steady flow of sailing events would attract eager competitors whatever the weather.

It is remarkable that through the efforts of our local sailing clubs such as Restronguet, Mounts Bay and the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club we continue to attract quality sailing events every year.

Booked for 2009 at the moment are the International 14 Nationals at Restronguet, the SB3 and Dragon Nationals at the RCYC with Mounts Bay and Looe yet to confirm their championship events.

The demand is there as the sailing waters off our coast are stunning thanks in part the efforts of South West Water and the lack of commercial shipping. In short a perfect play ground in which to host major sailing events.

The creation of the single unitary authority offers another opportunity for the new Council to either create a new post of Maritime Promotions Officer to promote maritime events across the County or persuade the Tourist Board to allocate a member of staff to adopt a similar role.

I firmly believe it is purely a question of vision and it should not be left just to the enthusiasm of one or two volunteer sailing secretaries at our sailing clubs.

Given the current financial situation our local economy is likely to suffer along with the rest of the country and our sailing waters are a neglected asset that could help lift the County out of recession.

This is a subject very dear to my heart and I will continue to push for change in Cornwall as I watch developments at Weymouth and the other sailing academies.

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LASER INLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS

Andy Tyler — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 10:42:53 +0000

Just to underline the comments above some 10 Cornish sailors made the trip to Carsington Sailing Club near Ashbourne in Derbyshire last weekend to take part in the Laser Inland Championships.

All 3 Rigs were represented although the forecast may have reduced numbers across the board with cold strong winds on both Saturday and Sunday giving many intrepid sailors an early bath.

Five races were held over the 2 days with 3 races on the Saturday and 2 on the Sunday with 1 discard.

In the Radial fleet Jon Emmett from Weir Wood reined supreme winning all 5 races and truly demonstrating his awesome talent as one of the finest Radial sailors in the world.

James Grant from Restronguet proved to be the closest Cornish challenger finishing 12th overall and 5th Junior with Douglas Lloyd Haynes from Newquay finishing 37th and Harry Houlding from Fowey Gallants back in 41st place.

In the Standard fleet Stephen Grant from Restronguet finished 16th overall.

Our best finisher in the Laser 4.7 fleet was Harvey Davies in 5th with David Grant in 7th and Alice Burford in 11th place.

It was a wet and windy venue and I salute all the young sailors and their families for making the long journey up North on such a miserable weekend.

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VENDEE GLOBE 2008

Andy Tyler — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:42:51 +0000

This weekend sees the start of the 6th edition of this incredible round the world yacht race and I wish I could be there to watch the start on Sunday.

Some 30 Open 60s will provide an unforgettable sight with an estimated 300 boat plus spectator fleet. Best hope of the 6 UK sailors should be Mike Golding who finished 3rd in the last event despite losing his keel as he approached the finishing line.

The French have a formidable line up in the fleet and I expect Michel Desjoyeaux the winner in 2002 or Loick Peyron the winner of the 2008 Transat to maintain French domination of the event.

The Transat and Funchal 500 have been excellent events staged here in the West Country but are dwarfed in comparison to the Vendee. The support shown by the Vendee Conseil General (County) and Les Sables d’Olonnes (Town) French local authorities just show what can be done given the determination and vision.

To date some 300,000 people have visited the Race Village since it opened on the 18th October and this weekend should see the town packed to the rafters.

If you have never visited the event then I would urge you put it on your bucket list and try to catch the finish in February next year. I saw the finish in 2004 and it remains a vivid image in my memory as probably one of the greatest sporting events I have ever witnessed.

It should also be a compulsory visit for any UK race organizer to witness a fully professional organization stage a world-class event.

The attention to detail is extraordinary and you can easily see why the Vendee has eclipsed all the UK single-handed yacht races, which originally pre-dated the French event.

In the words of the Bond theme “Nobody does it better”.

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The Silver Oyster Race

Andy Tyler — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 12:34:55 +0000

November 5th besides being Guy Fawkes Day is also the anniversary of a victory for the dredgermen of the Truro Oyster Fishery over Truro Corporation in a legal dispute over the laying of oysters along the foreshore.

The Truro Oyster Fishery is an area defined by the Truro Oyster and Mussel Fishery Order of 1876 as extending from Victoria Point (St Clements) to Messack Point (St Just) to Tarra Point (Mylor) to Sunset (Kea) and returning to Victoria Point.

Under the terms of the Order the Corporation were bound only to raise money by the sale of licenses with a fixed fee levied for each dredge.

The Corporation sought to find ways of increasing revenue and decided to charge the dredgermen for laying or re-laying oysters along the foreshore.

Traditionally on dredging the oyster from the estuary the dredgermen would stake out layings or beds in the creeks in order to deposit their catch to await shipping to market or store young oysters to provide spawn to repopulate the fishery or simply create an oyster larder.

The Corporation instructed its Bailiff to list all these layings within the boundary of the Fishery and impose a charge to either dredgermen or merchant of 1 shilling per 20ft run onshore for each laying.

The laying of cultch (broken oyster shells) to create beds within the Fishery was liable to a £5 fine and zealous Bailiffs impounded young oysters found in certain layings and returned them to the main fishery.

As could be expected these actions brought about organized resistance and in 1894 the Bailiff’s boat mysteriously disappeared and despite a £10 reward had to be replaced.

In 1899 the Corporation commenced legal proceedings against the dredgermen in the High Court over the question of foreshore rights and the ability of the Corporation to charge rent.

Mr. Justice Wills in an historic decision on 5th November 1901 decided in favour of the dredgermen and decided the Corporation had no rights over the foreshore.

There was a debate by the Corporation as to whether to appeal the decision but they eventually conceded defeat and that victory has been celebrated by November 5th being declared a holiday for the dredgermen and a 24 hour shut down of the Fishery.

It was a landmark decision for what was in the early 1900’s a major fishing fleet in the Duchy. Estimates vary with few records but the fleet was reckoned to number between 30-40 sailboats and over 100 plus oyster punts.

Figures are vague and sketchy but in 1924 the fishery stock was estimated at some 7 million oysters and as late as 1953 the Corporation estimated over 3.5 million oysters had been landed in one season.

Oyster fishermen from places such as Whitstable, Colchester and Rochester whose fisheries were in decline made frequent sorties down to Falmouth to raid the fishery from the 1840’s and met fierce local opposition.

It was a man’s livelihood at stake and feelings over oysters ran very high especially when out port boats appeared to harvest the local bounty to be found throughout the Carrick Roads and in all the rivers and creeks.

The invasions declined as the East Coast and Kent oyster fisheries fell into decay and their oyster fleets were converted from sail to engine and accordingly not permitted to dredge in the Fal.

The short season and the need to work a boat for 12 months meant that the fishery has remained purely the preserve of local fishermen.

In 1978 Mylor Yacht Club decided to host a race on November 5th to celebrate the High Court victory and invited all those working boats holding dredging licenses from Carrick Council to participate for the Silver Oyster Trophies.

These trophies were commissioned by the then Commodore of the club Peter Grigg and comprise two mounted oyster shells cast from local oysters which can only be won by competitors in the winter working boat fleets.

Some 21 boats entered and Stella skippered by Ray Frost won B class and Leila with Mike Parsons at the helm won Class C.

For that first event the Oyster Fishery was in very good heart and fleet numbers were in double figures so initially the summer racing fleets were not invited to compete. Indeed in the 1980’s rowing races were organized for the “Haul and Tow” oyster punts to encompass those oystermen who worked the Fishery under oar.

Numbers of entries have varied each year depending on the health of the Fishery, the quality and quantity of the catch. After a few years of falling numbers the decision was taken to invite the summer working boat fleet to join in the festivities.

The common oyster needs a clean environment for their reproduction and growth as on average an adult specimen will daily filter 15 gallons of water to obtain food particles and dissolved oxygen.

The dissolved oxygen content of the water is crucial and must achieve at least 50% saturation before the oyster will survive.

Modern Public Health standards now require Fal oysters are purified in clean saltwater for 48 hours before consumption due to the river suffering periodic mineral pollution from old mine workings and some viral infections from agricultural and sewage waste.

In the early 1980’s a deadly oyster virus Bonamia infected the stock and the fishery all but died off and was closed from 1981 to 1984.

The advent of the Mackerel Klondykers in the late 70’s early 80’s also brought about pollution concerns with at the height of the mackerel boom some 15 huge foreign factory freezer trawlers anchored in the Carrick Roads processing the catch. Oil, bilge water and decomposing fish waste were dangers to the Fishery and seriously effected its future survival.

The decline of mackerel stocks meant that the Klondykers moved on and since then the Fishery has enjoyed a period of relative calm although with such a slow growing creature as the oyster dredging activity is limited and is usually finished before Christmas or the early New Year.

This year is the 36th Silver Oyster Race and takes place next Wednesday as usual on the 5th November. It is a wonderful social occasion with the race in the morning and a pasty and a pint at the Clubhouse after prize giving.

It is a rare opportunity for the summer and winter fleets to socialize and celebrate this unique Fishery and a marvelous day out for both spectators and competitors alike.

I sincerely hope the weather cooperates and would urge anyone in the Mylor area to pop down to the Clubhouse and savour the special atmosphere of this event and the survival of the Oyster Fishery into the 21st century.

Who knows they may even have oysters on the menu if there are any left after the Oyster Festival!

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Award for NMMC

Andy Tyler — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 09:05:54 +0000

I am a fan of the NMMC and the incredible effort the staff put in to keep the museum alive and interesting throughout the entire year.

I receive numerous e-mails during the year outlining plans for both young and old at the NMMC and confess the ingenuity and planning that they put into such schemes and events deserves recognition.

Accordingly I am delighted that at the Cornwall Tourism Awards for 2008 that the Museum was named Large Visitor Attraction of the Year.

Well done Ladies and Gentlemen you fully deserve the accolade.

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Spirit of Mystery Heads To Australia from Newlyn

Andy Tyler — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 09:03:53 +0000

Taking advantage of the northerly breeze Pete Goss and his crew on Spirit of Mystery slipped away from Newlyn on Monday night en route to Australia.

Spirit is a replica of the original Mystery a 37ft Mounts Bay lugger, which left Newlyn on the 18 November 1854, bound for the Australian Gold Fields.

116 days later after a voyage of 11,800 miles the intrepid seven-man crew reached Melbourne.

Goss together with his brother Andy, son Eliot and brother in law Mark Maidment are following in the wake of these Cornish fishermen with the aim of highlighting their achievement and raising money for Goss’s charity Cornwall Playing for Success.

Cornwall Playing for Success is an out of school hour’s initiative aimed to involve youngsters in sport and adventure activities and the voyage will feature on the website www.petegoss.com/playing-for-success.php.

Besides the voyage itself the best feature about Mystery and her crew was that the idea originated in the Star Inn at Newlyn.

How many daft brave or foolish ideas originate over a few beers? It is nice to know that even 154 years ago men were still making rash decisions over a pint.

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OYSTERS R US – The Best Falmouth Oyster Festival Yet

Andy Tyler — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 09:02:12 +0000

I have always had faith in the Falmouth Oyster Festival as possibly one of the best food events to be found anywhere in Europe if not the World. It is such a unique event inextricably linked with the working boats and the oyster punts and of course our wonderful Fal estuary.

You begin to realize that organizers Carrick District Council and Falmouth Festivals have got the mix right when you can find the 2008 edition of the event recommended on the British Airways and the Hilton Hotel web sites.

2008 can I think be declared as the year the Festival came of age and emerged as a genuine contender as one of the best Oyster events to be held in Europe and able to rival the old established Oyster Festivals in Ireland such as Galway, Clarenbridge or Hillsborough.

Mike Rangecroft admitted being exhausted at the end of the four day event but exhilarated by the tremendous support shown by the local community and creating a fantastic atmosphere throughout the duration of the Festival.

The Marquee was bigger, the layout improved and some 27,000 people came and ate some 15,000 oysters, browsed local produce stalls and drank the odd pint or three. Old friends meeting, new acquaintances made the buzz in the Marquee was constant and everyone enjoyed themselves and the fine weather enabled the event to fill Events Square.

Sophie Grigson launched the proceedings with style and aplomb on Thursday and was possibly the first celebrity chef to cook at the Festival a couple of cakes as well as the traditional one or two oyster recipes.

Media interest was intense with the local news teams from ITV and the Beeb being joined by two other TV companies featuring the Festival in forthcoming programmes.

Griff Rhys Jones, Rory McGrath and Dara O’Briain materialized to shoot scenes for the next series of Three Men in a Boat and were taken dredging by Ranger in the Alf Smithers and then introduced to the art of oyster shucking by Johnny Ball from the Seafood Restaurant.

Not to be outdone Tiger Aspect another TV production company went out with the Oyster Fleet on the Friday to shoot scenes for a series called the Four Seasons featuring Alan Titchmarsh.

Andy Campbell and his crew on board Lindy Lou his old beam trawler had picked up Sophie Grigson from St Mawes on the Thursday and also visited the Fleet dredging off Mylor so the dredgermen will probably be glad of a break this week!

In truth though the Fleet makes the Oyster Fishery so special and it is something that no other Festival can incorporate and as such gives Falmouth its undeniable unique quality.

Making it a truly star studded event was the unscheduled visit of Rick Stein on Saturday in Falmouth for a book signing exercise but equally interested to see how the Festival had moved on since his official visit in 1998.

Highlights on Saturday included a magical performance from the Pearl of Africa choir from Uganda, a group of Aids Victims orphans aged from 7-17 and an informal talk by Pete Goss on his forthcoming voyage to Australia on his replica 37ft sailing lugger Spirit of Mystery.

Sunday and a steady breeze enabled a competitive harbour race to take place with Abigail Rose (Norman Bowers) winning in B Class and Sapphire (Chris Symonds) winning in C Class.

It was Norman’s partner Gaye Shone’s twenty-something birthday and at the prize giving in the Marquee Happy Birthday was sung by the Falmouth Marine Band and the Falmouth Shout.

That summed up the weekend and the Festival – warm and friendly and definitely a must visit event for 2009 with it scheduled for 15th – 18th October.

The only danger must be for it to become overrun with celebrities and paparazzi.

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Victory Cup Races

Andy Tyler — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:39:24 +0000

Sunday saw the Victory Inn at St Mawes host the victory cup races for working boats.

In lovely conditions of sunshine and a force 2/3 breeze both B and C classes enjoyed tight racing.

The course of West Narrows, Black Rock provided a stiff challenge with a strong flood tide pushing both fleets up the estuary and away from Black Rock.

In B class local boats Helen Mary (Doug Clode) and Demelza (JA) enjoyed an excellent scrap with Rebecca (Phil Slater). Rounding Black Rock without getting swept off the mark by the tide proved to be the key.

Rebecca managed to round the mark in one tack from the Pendennis shore where Demelza fell agonizingly short and had to have another tack.

Rebecca took both line and handicap honours with Evelyn (Malcolm Hitchens) just pushing Helen Mary into 3rd place on handicap.

C Class was won by Girl Sarah (Adam Davies) from Muriel (Brian Trenoweth) with the Victory providing splendid hospitality for all crews ashore.

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RYA Zone Championships

Andy Tyler — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 17:26:05 +0000

The weather is a topic of conversation dear to the heart of nearly every Brit and sailors are no different with the too much wind and rain ruining the peak sailing months of July and August.

Come September of course and the reverse is the case with the RYA Zone championships being held across the UK in 7 different venues all being badly affected by little or no wind.

At Weymouth Truro windsurfer Nick Sylvester won the 3.5 fleet taking 3 wins in the limited racing completed on the Saturday, Adam Grayston also from Truro repeated the feat in the 5.5 fleet and Saltash sailor Louis Morris came good in the 7.8 fleet.

Chew Valley Sailing Club was the venue for the South West Zone dinghy regatta but a complete lack of wind meant that no racing was possible on either Saturday or Sunday.

Despite a lack of breeze frustrating many of the 1000 youngsters taking part in the Zone championships selection for Zone and Home Country squads will not be seriously affected as criteria such as open training, key competition and performances over the summer will be taken into consideration.

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Laser SB3 Inaugural World Championships 2008

Andy Tyler — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:19:41 +0000

The inaugural Laser SB3 World Championships concluded last Friday and the event held at the National Yacht Club in Dublin attracted some 135 entries.

Winner was Geoff Carveth and his crew from Hayling Island Sailing Club from Craig Burlton 2nd, Mike Budd 3rd, Tim Fells 5th and ex-Restronguet sailor David Lenz back in 6th spot.

Carveth, Budd and Burlton have all raced in Falmouth over the past few years in 1720s, Melges 24s and J80s and Tim Fells is the current B14 dinghy World Champion a title he won at Restronguet last year.

Given the British domination of the event the portents are for a stunning SB3 UK Nationals to be held in Falmouth next June with close on 70 boats expected and so extremely talented crews in the mix.

RCYC member Peter Knight competed in Dublin and together with Mike Miller and Roger Ford finished 40th in the silver fleet but with the Nationals coming to town next year hopefully more members will be encouraged to jump aboard these fabulous little sportsboats.

Penryn dentist Donal O’Halloran nearly won the inaugural SB3 Nationals when the event was last held in Falmouth in 2003 and Jonathon Money also competed in the regatta before selling his SB3 to Geoff Carveth.

It promises to be one of the highlights of the 2009 sailing season and certainly something to look forward to over the winter months.

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The Torrey Canyon

Andy Tyler — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 17:34:09 +0000

The Torrey Canyon is a named etched in the history of shipwrecks off the Cornish coast as the first major super tanker disaster to spark a major environmental crisis.

The Torrey Canyon piled onto a reef off the Scilly Isles in March 1967 at a time when such a disaster was regarded as almost impossible. There was no infrastructure in place to cope with such a major oil spillage at the time so the UK Government resorted to bombing and napalming the wreck to burn off the oil.

Likewise detergent was widely used to break up oil slicks with no regard for the impact on wild life.

Next Monday there will be a lunchtime lecture on the Torrey Canyon and the aftermath of its sad demise on Pollard’s Rock on the Seven Stones Reef at the NMMC with the lunch and lecture costing £12.50.

Bookings can be made on 01326 214546.

The NMMC has a whole season of winter talks on a host of maritime related subjects offering something for everyone.

This talk by Sam Willis sounds particularly interesting and definitely worth attending.

See you there!

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Solo Success

Andy Tyler — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 01:33:12 +0000

After the disappointments of the round Britain solo attempts by Hilary Lister and 16 year old Jonny Moore I am delighted to report that Jack Daly sailing Padiwak a 1985 vintage Corribee Mk II has finally made it back to Ramsgate the port he left on 21st June.

Daly celebrated his 17th birthday on Friday arrived home last Saturday after an epic 12 week circumnavigation of the UK and enters the record books as one of the youngest single-handed sailors to complete the voyage.

The youngster is raising money for the RYA Sailability charity and if you are so minded to donate to this worthy cause visit his web site www.sail-the-dream.co.uk

Padiwak visited Falmouth a couple of weeks ago and I sadly missed the opportunity to meet this remarkable teenager but I can only applaud a wonderful achievement.

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Style Councilors

Andy Tyler — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:19:39 +0000

Couldn’t start this week’s column without a word about Pendennis Shipyard’s impressive 20th anniversary celebrations at the Monaco Yacht Show last week.

Just how do you impress the rich and famous at one of the world’s top superyacht gatherings? Toby Allies of Pendennis Shipyard organized a show stopping, head turning moment by booking the Red Arrows to help celebrate the Yard’s 20th anniversary celebrations.

Hosting a champagne reception at Port Hercules in Monaco Harbour the Company arranged for the Red Arrows to strut their stuff in the skies overhead.

Flying over the Monte Carlo skyline takes some organizing as of course it is foreign airspace but Pendennis worked the miracle and as usual the Arrows performed with style and panache.

The Pendennis Cup regatta over Falmouth Week was a pretty impressive event as an appetizer but the Red Arrows over Monte Carlo is some main course.

If I am ever organizing a party or celebration I think I might have to talk to Pendennis as Style Councilors as they certainly know how to throw a party and it is really great that a Cornish shipyard can show such initiative and class.

Roll on their 21st next year!

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Tornado Worlds At Takapuna Beach

Andy Tyler — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 11:20:45 +0000

The Tornado World Championships are being held this week at Takapuna Beach in New Zealand and Cornish interest is centred on Andy Walsh and Tom Phipps and their crews in the 51-boat fleet.

Walsh and his crew Ed Barney after 4 races have had their usual maddeningly inconsistent regatta. On the opening day they posted a 5th and a 4th to lie in 3rd place overall and look well placed for a cracking event.

The pair were well up with overnight leaders the Germans Gaebler and Struckman and Dutch crew of Booth and Nieuwenhuis but the following day Walsh and Barney posted a 21st and 28th to add some 49 points to their overnight total.

In contrast whilst not winning either of the two races both the Germans and Dutch crews posted top 10 finishes to open up a 35 point plus differential lead over Andy and Ed.

Consistency and consolidation the key to winning an international regatta and something Andy and Ed maddeningly seem to lack just when they seem in a strong position to win a major event.

I accept there has been no discard yet in the 10 race series but the UK pair have dropped from 3rd to 14th overall and although it is barely halfway through the event the chances of a podium finish are remote.

The only consolation is that despite languishing in 14th the pair are leading the UK challenge as none of the other leading UK crews have fared any better.

Tom Phipps and his crew Marcus Lynch as one of the junior UK crews in New Zealand are having a roller coaster of an event and started with some gear failure in Race 1 to finish 43rd and have to retire from Race 2 to fix the problem.

On the following day whilst leading Race 3 the pair capsized to finish 22nd and then followed up with a 19th in Race 4 to lie 35th overall.

Full results next week.

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Olympic Classes Spring Regatta @ Weymouth

Andy Tyler — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 11:19:51 +0000

Weymouth Sailing Academy hosted the first of two Olympic Class regattas organized by the RYA and a compulsory event for all RYA Olympic Development and Transition squad members.

Fleet number across the classes were small but as usual racing was competitive with the RYA coaches and staff present to monitor progress and development of the potential Olympians of 2012.

In the 470 class Ally Martin crewed by Truroâ€™s Rosie Chapman won the womenâ€™s event finishing 5th overall in combined mixed fleet and counting a 2nd and 3rd in the 6 race 1 discard series.

Ally Martin is a highly promising 470 helm and Rosie was replacing her regular crew Lottie Clay.

If the change was permanent it might make sense for Rosie, as competition is ferocious in her chosen class the Laser Radial for the 2012 Olympics.

On the other hand the womenâ€™s 470 class is not keenly contested at present with only Christina Bassadone and Saskia Clark the UK crew for Beijing regularly competing in UK and International 470 events.

Restronguetâ€™s Ed Powys and Will Morgan competed in the 49â€™er class and had a disappointing weekend but hopefully things will improve for the next round in the Series, which is to be held at Hayling Island Sailing Club over the weekend of the 10/11th May.

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DART 18 Training Weekends At Mylor

Andy Tyler — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 11:18:50 +0000

If all this talk of Olympic sailing has wetted your appetite for improving your racing performance this season then Windsport International are hosting the annual Dart 18 2008 Teach-in.

Your host and main coach will be cat guru Brian Phipps and two weekend training sessions have been arranged. On the 19th-20th April there will be a â€œStart Racingâ€ course to help newcomers to the Dart 18 and those keen to start racing in the class at club or open meeting level.

The second weekend is due to be held on the 26th-27th April and is titled â€œDevelop your Racing Skillsâ€ and is aimed at those racing at club and open meeting level but wish to compete at national and international events.

Numbers are limited so early booking is recommended with each weekend being priced at Â£138.00 per crew to include coaching, boat trailer and car parking from Friday through to Sunday.

Full information can be provided by Windsport 01326 376191or Jenny Lloyd the UKIDA Secretary at UKIDA, Brynhafren, Leighton, Welshpool, Powys SY21 8HG.

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Volvo RYA Champion Clubs

Andy Tyler — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 11:18:00 +0000

Truro Laser sailor James Tilley is the RYA Champion Clubs Liaison Officer and the programme originally launched in 1997 has just under a revamp and major relaunch via a new web site at www.rya.org.uk/vcc.

The site offers a multitude of best practice tips, downloads and case studies of some of the 143 current Champion Clubs in the UK.

The principle aim of the CC programme is to encourage young sailors and windsurfers to learn how to sail and develop their skills through quality RYA race training programmes run by participating sailing clubs.

The benefits of applying to become a Champion Club include increased revenues, membership and a hopefully full access to training programmes to the benefit of all members.

All clubs need to attract new members in order to survive and continue and the RYA Champion Clubs programme is designed specifically to encourage youngsters to sail and youngsters are the lifeblood of any club.

Speak to James and get on board if you as a club havenâ€™t already joined.