A BRISK wind blew down the Penryn River on Tuesday afternoon as 42 boats turned out for the latest race in the Hines Downing Series, writes Chris Jelliss.

Starting at the eastern shore of the Carrick Roads, four multi-hulls took off in a moderating wind and Steve Hutt in Cornish Meadow ended up as the clear winner.

Next the seven boats in Q class were led home by Robbie Tregear in Per Elisa, fresh back from the world half ton cup in St Quay Portreaux, France. Tony Cook’s Jackdaw came second while the David Cunliffe skippered Encore was third.

Five Sunbeams came out and Neil Andrew in Verity finished on top of the podium ahead of Audrey, manned by Stuart Sawyer. At some stage Lyulph Hesling in Pixy decided to have a brief interlude from racing and parked on the eastern shore before being rescued by a passing RIB.

The five boats in E class were shown how to start by John Fox in the aptly named Excelle. However, Fox rounded a mark the wrong way and had to go back, unwind his course then go back round the mark. He was still able to came second to John Beavis in Tresillian.

In the W fleet, three boats set off with Len Cheshire in Sweet Friday showed them a clean pair of heels as he avoided the Trefusis Point parking lot.

U class fielded 11 boats. There were a few issues at the very short line between Outsider and Deep Purple in very close quarters with Wilkie and with Popincoota playing water ballet not far behind. Mandy Owens in Aurora took line honours after a brief encounter close to the finish line.

The race in B class had seven entrants and the working boats had some close racing with Arthur Williams in Winnie taking the first place.

Another seven gaffers of G class went in reverse, starting from the club line and sailing up the Penryn River with Mike Maguire, the class captain onboard Dragonfly, showed some mettle as he came back unscathed and took resounding line honours.