Sponsored by Coleman Insurance

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  1. Classes 2 & 3 had originally been due to race to Cherbourg on Friday 28th and Cherbourg to St Vaast on the 29th to meet up with Class 1 who were racing to St Vaast direct on the 29th. Strong winds forecast for the Channel for 28th led to a postponement for a day and an amendment, so the whole fleet raced to St Vaast starting at 0600 – 0610 on the 29th. The original class 2 & 3 races were in the sailing instructions to ensure the smaller boats could make it into St Vaast gates before they closed at 19.00 BST, which a long channel race might not allow. There was therefore some concern as to whether the smaller boats would have to anchor off until Saturday morning, if they missed the gate.
  2. The postponement proved a wise decision as Channel and Greenwich Lights both recorded 43mph on the Friday! So it was the larger fleet of about 20 boats who straggled to the Swash starting line on a fine morning, with not all making their start on time! Firestarter was start boat but had mislaid her liferaft and much radio traffic sought to ensure a Class 1 alternative boat with a timepiece available could run all 3 starts! Eventually Firestarter did find a liferaft and had the unique distinction of conducting a radio signaled start from 2 miles away inside Poole Harbour as she was motoring to join the fleet for a late start!
  3. A cracking WNW 4-5 gave an exhilarating spinnaker race all the way for those able to hang on to the tiller! A W swell from the previous day’s gales added to the fun, yawing under boats quarters.
  4. The first boats finished in 8hours 55 minutes with the whole fleet arriving within 11 hours as fears of anchoring out were dispelled. Tired crews recovered, with the more exuberant ending the Saturday evening dancing on the Captain of PYRA’s decks!
  5. Sunday was a quiet day with the 6pm rendezvous in the restaurant/bar on the St Vaast outer wall being generously hosted by Coleman Insurance & Vinyl Solutions.

6. Bank Holiday Monday dawned as the fishing fleet put to sea from St Vaast and the PYRA fleet soon followed the bright dawn with an impressive 7am start. Spinnakers were flown to Barfleur and as the wind died the boats slowed to a crawl as the last of the night cloud cleared to a brilliant sunny day. By 10 a majority of the fleet had retired and was motoring home. However engines proved a little troublesome for Ruthless & Athene with trips to Cherbourg for bearings and a tow required!

PHHS Channel Series

PHHS Passage Series B

IRC and MOCRA Channel Series

IRC and MOCRA Passage Series B