The crew aboard Evelyn were celebrating after winning the Falmouth Working Boats World Championships held recently, writes Ron Medlyn.

Friday’s racing was cancelled due to excessive strong winds, but Saturday morning saw a force three gusting four South Westerly wind - ideal for sailing conditions.

In a very interesting beat to windward with the tide ebbing, the fleet split up, some using St Mawes shore and the other using Trefusis shore. Phil Slater’s Rebecca was first around, quickly followed by Moon and Florence. Also close up was Abigail Rose and Evelyn doing remarkably well.

As the race progressed and boats closed up on the leaders, it was going to be a very close result on handicap and the winner turned out to be Evelyn, with Moon second, Florence third and Rebecca fourth.

The second race was held back-to-back with the first race as the weather forecast was not good for later in the day. Race officer, Ron Medlyn, aboard John and Liz Maunder’s Melkin, adjusted the start line and soon the boats were into their second race. Rebecca immediately made for the Trefusis shore and just went away and away sailing brilliantly to pull out an enormous lead over the fleet, who were left to fight out for second and third place.

First was Rebecca, followed by Florence, Grace and Abigail Rose. Unfortunately a shackle broke on Moon’s top sail and he had to retire.

Sunday’s first race saw 8-10 knots of westerly wind coming right out of Falmouth harbour.

The committee boat set up the start line near St Mawes point by the east and west narrows buoys, giving the boats an excellent beat to windward.

John Peter’s “Rita” was first to show and managed to keep Rebecca at bay on the two reaching legs, but at the second windward mark Rebecca was in front but not by very much. Once again Evelyn was keeping pace with the leaders as was Abigail Rose and Moon. With a close finish it was down to handicapping to sort out the winners. The results saw Rita finish first with Rose, second, Evelyn, third and Rebecca, fourth.

The final race was again sailed back-to-back with the first race and the wind had now moved to west north west, giving the beat a very tricky slant with countless wind shifts.

As the boats changed places Zulu came out leader at the windward mark and Evelyn was very close behind with Victory and Moon in pursuit. This race produced many place changes, but in the end although Rebecca had fought back to get line honours for the fourth time, she suffered on handicapping and the winner was Zulu with Evelyn second, Victory third and Moon fourth.

Overall the champion for 2012 turned out to be Evelyn. This was a real turn up for the books, but she sailed very well with her new helmsman R Richards, who made few mistakes. Second overall was Phil Slater’s Rebecca and third was Moon sailed by Patrick Selman, last year’s winner.

In C Class, smaller working boats, the battle was always going to be between Adam Birds, Leila, and Mike Stratton’s, Deliverance.

The first race was won by Leila by a huge margin and Mary Ann was placed second on handicap with Deliverance third.

In the second race, after a very tense battle, Deliverance managed to get the lead and remained in front to the end, with Leila second and Mary Ann third.

The third race was completely dominated by Leila winning by eight minutes over Deliverance. Muriel, Brian Chenoweth’s boat, 100 years old this year was placed third.

In the final race Deliverance chased Leila relentlessly and finally got in front on the final beat and held off Leila to the finish line with only yards separating them. Mary Ann finished third.

With two boats scoring two firsts and a second, it was on count back that Deliverance won. The victory in the last race proving crucial to give him the 2012 championship.

The prize giving was held at the St Mawes Social Club and an auction and collection was made for this year’s charity, Radio Cornwall’s Phoenix Appeal. Through the working boat crews generosity £991.75 was raised.