Plymouth Branch News

RNSA - St Peter Port Race 28-29 May 2010

Bling, X-Rated and Just for Fun lead the IRC fleet into St Peter Port while Ayesha of Yealm and River Dance took the PY honours. The remainder of the fleet withdrawing because of adverse weather conditions and forecasts.

The RNSA (Plymouth) run race from Plymouth to St Peter Port took place on 28 and 29 May. Despite a strong entry, the forecast over night of winds increasing from Force 6 to 8 from the south, deterred the skippers and eventually only ten boats crossed the line, 5 in each of IRC and PY Classes.

After a beat out of the sound the yachts settled on a tight fetch initially at a steady Force 3. The wind however pushed around to the south and climbed to Force 5, gusting 6. This convinced a few more of the accuracy of the forecast and boats withdrew to Mount Batten, Salcombe and Dartmouth.

The wind did slacken at about 10 in the evening but stayed in the south. Only the first boat across the line, BLING (K Poole), was early enough to take the southern route. The next pair, X-RATED(C Gurney) and JUST4FUN (S Mather) beat down the Russell, but with the tide encouraging them. In the last twenty minutes X-RATED edged in front (pictured) and crossed the line just one minute and 3 seconds ahead, and secured the IRC winner’s berth.

The PY class similarly finished with the last 2 still racing crossing the line in sight of each other, AYESHA OF YEALM (S Maltby) ahead by some 9 minutes from RIVER DANCE (C Hughes) – the winner on handicap.

There was a final arrival, XDREAM, motoring in after withdrawing over night, but even so the number of skippers and crew were enough to enjoy the Vin d’Honneur provided by the Guernsey States Culture and Leisure office. This was held by kind permission in the Guernsey Yacht Club and was attended by Deputies from the States and by his Excellency the Lt Governor, Vice Admiral Sir Fabian Malbon KBE who presented the bubbly to the winners.

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