Fowey To Helford Race Report 14th September 2024
Fifteen boats raced from Fowey to Helford River, mainly in glorious sunshine
Fifteen boats, nine in RYA YTC Fleet and six in IRC, raced from Fowey to the Voose buoy in the Helford River. The weather was sunny and winds mild to moderate, mainly from the south. The YTC boats raced directly there, the IRC boats via Bay Buoy N, Gwineas, Manacles and finished at the Voose. Start times varied between 1000 and 1100. It was mainly upwind and a long race, with spinnakers or Code Zeros coming out to the Bay Buoy and spinnakers from Manacles to Helford entrance on most of the IRC boats. All IRC boats and eight of the YTC boats completed the course by 1900, the time limit, with one just missing it by a few minutes. Five YTC and two IRC boats raced short-handed – Freya in Lilliburlero was actually single-handed.
Most crews attended the prize giving in HRSC, where COGS provided free pasties to all the crews, and most of us sat outside, eating the pasties, enjoyiong a well deserved drink and watching the setting sun.
The IRC class was won by Greg Peck in Camp Freddie (left hand photo below), with Jack Jack second and Afrita third. Richard Chart in Jack Jack (right hand photo below) and British Beagle took the honours in the IRC shorthanded category. The RYA YTC was won by Samadi (not present at the prize giving), followed by Green Magnum and Pogolyre. The YTC shorthanded race was won by Samadi, followed by Pogolyre and Bad Habits – congratulations to all!
We all enjoyed the day and look forwards to the last race of the season, the Mylor Cup. At present Afrita is leading the IRC Coastal Series, with Bellissima second and Inn Spirit third. In RYA YTC, Green Magnum is leading with Blue Horizon second and Nightowler third – there is still plenty to race for!
