THE Falmouth Working Boat Championships will be held in the Falmouth Carrick Roads on June 18, 19 and 20.

These wonderful boats, some all wooden construction, dating back to 1900s will be Sailing very competitively alongside the modern fibre glass boats, most of which were constructed in the Mylor Boat Yard, previously owned by the legendary late Martin Heard. Happily his son, Sam, is continuing the interest in Working Boat construction. All the Working Boats carry coloured topsails and the crews are generally fitted out with coloured t-shirts to match.

These unique boats make a wonderful sight when all the sails are set, especially when they are all gathered together for a championship. After racing all the boats will be moored up in St Mawes Harbour by kind permission of the St Mawes Harbour Master and the “three cheers” will be echoing over the water as the boats reach the finish line.

Races will be started at 11am on Friday and Saturday, followed by a second race each day at 3pm.

On Sunday racing will commence at 11am when only one race is scheduled, followed by the prize giving at the St Mawes Social Club at approximately 3pm.

The championship will be hosted by the St Mawes Sailing Club. This year some 22 boats or more have entered in the two classes – Class B, large working boats; C Class, boats 25 feet and under.

Some 23 sponsors are supporting the championships, which the competitors are extremely grateful to for their support.

The committee boat will be “Melkin” kindly loaned and crewed by John and Liz Maunder and will be flying an orange flag.

Race officer is Ron Medlyn, gunners will be Cedric Thomas and Fred Baker. This team have successfully run all the Working Boat championships to date and are looking forward to another successful year.

Leading contenders in “B” class will be Rebecca, owned by Phil and Jill Slater; Demelza, John Andrew; Abigail Rose, Norman Bowers; Florence, St Mawes syndicate; Evelyn, St Mawes syndicate; Victory, David Carne; Moon, Patrick Selman.

All these boats are sailing very fast, but there are some dark horses amongst the other competitors, who could steal the show.

In “C” class strong competition will come from Leila, Adam Bird; Dolly, Barry Prynn; Lottie, Paul Ferris.

Prizes will be presented each day for each race and a good social programme has been arranged with plenty of ale being consumed and some singing from the crews.

St Mawes will be taken over for the weekend by the crews and supporters.

Best vantage places are Pendennis Head, St Mawes Castle and Trefusis Point.

Printed programmes giving details of each boat entered, with their topsail colours being identified, are being distributed throughout the town. These wonderful boats will make a great spectacle with some very close racing, all entered in the true Working Boat spirit of sportsmanship.