Eddystone Night Race – Report

Eddystone Race Report 2024

The race was held on Saturday 15th June. The forecast was correct with WSW winds of 20 to 24kn gusting to 28kn throughout the night, easing off a little in the morning, with waves of about 1.5 to 2.0m. Many of us had the tide against us all the way, turning just as we got to the lighthouse and wind against tide on the outward journey. There were four boats in each class competing, although one retired having missed a mark. Two YTC boats completed short-handed. This was Race 2 in the Offshore Series.

The course was out to the south side of the Eddystone, and was dead downwind, then back to Hand Deeps and Buoy B (both passed on their northern sides), which was almost dead upwind, so long beats. The sea state back to Hand Deeps was exceptionally challanging for the boats starting later, against the tide and several of us we got a good soaking at times with waves breaking over the entire boat.

All arrived safely back at St Mawes where most of us got an hour or two of sleep before breakfast, other than brave, two handed, Largo, who arrived just before the race time limit. Their crew received a standing ovation at the St Mawes Hotel, when they arrived back safely after a very long race – they also received 2nd prize in the RYA YTC Short Handed Category).

Jackdaw had the honours in IRC, Green Magnum had them in RYA YTC and Nightowler (still asleep on their yacht we think) in RYA YTC Short Handed.

The St Mawes Hotel sponsored the race and their managers handed out the prizes during an excellent breakfast provided by the hotel with all bot one of the crews in attendance.

All agreed that we had all had a great race in challenging conditions and we look forwards to the next Offshore Race, L’Aber Wrac’h later in the month. We all thank Mike Grice, the SMSC Race Officer, for officiating the race and, and choosing the course. We also thank Andrew Laming of SMCS (and COGS) who put in so much work in making the race run so well. We also thank the staff and management of the Idle Rocks and St Mawes Hotel Group for their sponsorship and for providing breakfast for us and to Ancasta for sponsoring the COGS 2024 Offshore Series.

There is a large photo gallery, with photos of the race and prize giving, in the “Photos” section of the COGS Website.

Anthony Nathan