Race Report Falmouth to Penzance


Race Report Falmouth to Penzance

With Simon Copperwait of Penzance SC as Race Officer, assisted by Steve Przybylski of Mylor YC on Pendennis Point, seven boats came to the POFSA line for this year’s Falmouth to Penzance race. With staggered starts intended to bring boats to the finish at similar times, Ferret of Mylor was first to start, followed by four more YTC boats – Bad Habits, Blue Horizon, Green Magnum and Nightowler (sailing two-handed) five minutes later. Of the two starters in IRC class, Xenia was followed by Inn Spirit ten minutes apart.

Just as forecast, a brisk north-westerly took us all on a broad reach south to Manacles buoy but, with winds averaging around 20kn, everyone opted to leave their spinnakers in the bag. With large waves expected, a course passing 2 miles off the Lizard proved to be not enough to avoid the rough water. With waves of 2-3 metres (roughly equivalent to a fisherman’s 4-5 metres), keeping up speed was essential to push through the waves before hardening up towards Low Lee and a short final leg to a finish off Penzance Dock pier.

Ferret of Mylor was sadly forced to retired when the skipper aggravated an old injury, leaving the remaining boats all to finish within a ninety minute window in good time to await the opening of the Penzance Wet Dock. With PZSC providing free chilli and rice for all competitors and a large screen TV showing the football in the clubhouse, it was good to see all boat crews heading there for a few drinks and the prize giving by sponsors A2 Rigging.

Inn Spirit took the IRC class ahead of Xenia by under three minutes, Green Magnum beat Bad Habits and Blue Horizon into second and third places in YTC, whilst Nightowler took the YTC two-handed prize.

Tim Rowley