THE Falmouth Working Boat Championships will take place in the Carrick Roads on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (June 28, 29 and 30).

Between 18 and 20 large B-class boats will take part, alongside 6 or 7 C-class boats.

This is the championships’ ninth year, and the same race team has assembled in preparation.

The committee boat will be the “Melkin” owned by John and Liz Maunder, who will also help with the running of the event. John will be on flags and results, whilst Liz will man the radio broadcasting times to start and courses to competitors on Channel 72.

Once again this year’s race officer is Ron Medlyn, who will start and finish the boats and set the courses to be sailed.

Arf Treneer will be laying the marks from his fishing boat, with Cedric Thomas and Fred Baker acting as gunners. Roger Andrew will be the safety boat co-ordinator with the help of two ribs from the St Mawes SC, who will again be hosting the championships.

Keen opposition is expected in B Class. The front runners are likely to be: Rebecca and Phil Slater; Rita, John Peters; Abigail Rose, Sam Heard; Moon, Patrick Selman and last year’s winner Evelyn, St Mawes syndicate.

However, don’t be surprised if another boat from the fleet wins the event as all the boats are handicapped on past performances and are all good performers.

In C Class front runners are likely to be Leila, Adam Bird, Deliverance, Mike Stratton and the Zilpha, Simon Berryman. Again the rest of the fleet should be discounted.

Racing will commence at 11am and 3pm, Friday and Saturday and on Sunday only one race is planned for the morning. However, if any race has to be cancelled that race will take in the afternoon.

On the social side, Friday evening, the St Mawes SC will host the evening with a welcome and pasty supper. On Saturday evening the St Mawes SC will host the evening with a barbecue and other food and drinks, entertainment will be by the Truro Boys singing, followed by general shout by all the crews of traditional Cornish songs.

Sunday at the social club the prize giving will take place presented by the Commodores wife, Sue Treneer. An auction will then take place and a collection for this year’s chosen charity, Little Harbour Children’s Hospice.

Food is available and of course plenty of beer will be consumed. Best viewing points will be Castle Drive, Pendennis Point, St Mawes Castle and Trefusis Point.

This is the highlight of the Working Boats calendar with some excellent racing assured – don’t miss this spectacle of sail.