THE Falmouth Working Boat “World” Championships were held over the weekend – Friday (two races), Saturday (two races) and Sunday (one race) making a five race series with one race for each competitor to discard their worst result.

With 17 “B” Class, Large Boats, competition would be very keen.

With a Force 4 North Westerly wind with overcast skies the first race got away at 11am with a clean start. The courses were Olympic Triangle, which consists of a triangle, sausage lee, triangle and then sail to St Mawes SC finish line, as the St Mawes Club were hosting the event.

In Race 1, Sam Heard’s “Abigail Rose” started nearest to the committee boat in clear air and just sailed away from the fleet and was never headed as his good boat speed being the decisive factor.

The second boat home was “Moon” sailed by Patrick Selman, but on handicap Moon was placed third bringing “Agnes”, sailed by “Basher” Nelson. Surprise was poor performance of the pre-start favourite Dr Phil Slater’s “Rebecca”, who could only finish in 13th position.

Race 2 was dominated by John Peters “Rita” with “Moon” again second home, but she had to again drop to third place on handicap bringing in John Andrews “Demelza” in second place.

In this race “Rebecca”, the hot favourite, carried away her jib and had to retire, leaving her virtually no chance of now winning the championship.

Saturday’s conditions were much the same as Friday’s, a little less windy, but from the same NW compass point.

The first race was won by “Rebecca” after carrying out overnight repairs “Rebecca” led from start to finish winning by three and a half minutes from the next boat home “Rita”. After handicaps were worked out: 1, Rebecca; 2, Florence (St Mawes Syndicate); 3, Helen Mary (St Mawes Syndicate).

The second race on Saturday the wind shifted to the West with a touch of North still in it, this made the course trickier to read. However “Rebecca” was not fooled and came home again in first place only to be pipped on handicap by “Victory”, (Carne/Collins), third place went to the consistent “Rita”.

Sunday mornings last race of the series the wind backed to the North West again, but the tide was changing mid-race, which complicated the race plans for some boats.

Sam Heard’s “Abigail Rose” made a good start and with good boat speed worked the Falmouth shore to build-up a good lead over the two first rounds.

Starting the last round it seemed just a simple matter of covering the movements of the leading boats behind him, but Sam went for broke again. But the tide had changed and “Abigail” lost ground and eventually had to settle for fourth finish home. “Victory” eventually won this race and on handicap “Abigail Rose” was second with “Grace” third.

After all the handicaps and places were added together “Rita” was announced the winner; second place went to “Grace” ad third place went to “Florence”. All three boats sailed a very consistent series and deserved their success.

The sailing in C Class, small working boats, had six entries and racing was dominated by Adam Birds “Leila” with four first places to count. Second place went to the “Lottie”, Paul Ferris and third place went to “Deliverance” sailed by Mike Stratton.

On the social side, St Mawes Sailing Club held a pasty supper and everyone was welcomed by the club commodore Nigel Sharp. On Saturday evening a splendid feast was laid on by the St Mawes Social Club, with members from Mylor’s Lemonaires and Truro singers joining together with everyone joining in the singing of the traditional Cornish songs. What a great evening as the voice carried over the calm waters of St Mawes Harbour on a balmy evening.

Sunday afternoon the prize giving was held at the Social Club. Prizes were presented by Sue Treneer and thanks were expressed to all the race officials for a fantastic series and great sailing.

Race Officers were Ron Medlyn, John Maunder (flags), Liz Maunder (announcing), “Arfy” Treneer (laying the marks), Cedric Thomas and Fred Baker (firing the guns) and Roger Andrews (charge of all rescue facilities with the help of two St Mawes ribs).

Thanks were also expressed to all our sponsors, without whom the event would not take place.
One of our sponsors, Brian Chenoweth, provided engraved glasses for everyone who sailed, which were received with grateful thanks.

Brian then conducted an auction for four meals provided by restaurants, all proceeds were to go to “Little Harbour Children’s Hospice” and the sailors were asked to put folded money into the collection boxes which were brim full with notes when finished. T

he total collected was £1,600. All agreed that this championship had been the best of the nine held. Next year is the tenth anniversary and a full house of all working boats in the port would be a great way to celebrate.

Winners B Class: 1, Rita, John Peters; 2, Grace, Dan Trevaskis; 3, Florence, St Mawes Syndicate.
C Class: 1, Leila, Adam Bird; 2, Lottie, Paul Ferris; 3, Deliverance, Mike Stratton.