Twenty five boats left Weymouth bay on Friday 21st June 0545 in torrential rain, heading to Cherbourg to visit our friends at the Yacht Club de Cherbourg (YCC). Race Officers Catherine and Peter Jacobs aided by Allan Castle got up extremely early to get Viking II into the bay and set a windward mark to turn round before chasing off to France. With poor visibility through the shipping lanes but a fair wind, asymmetric spinnakers were the thing for the first four and a half hours.
Friday's arrival to the music festival in the town could not be bettered even though there was some very dodgy dancing going on. Saturday had organised activities including wine tasting, a boat trip and an architectural/historical tour with Mr Fraser. Sunday was a toss up between climbing up to the Fort du Roule or being stuck in a submarine with ex-submariners Graham and Tim aka 'May Day Tours' - I went for the former!
The welcome from YCC on saturday evening was fantastic with an enormous Union flag flying from the yacht club flagpole alongside the Normandy flag. During a terrasse BBQ members from both clubs mingled in celebration of YCC’s 75th anniversary and WSC’s centenary.
YCC President Jean le Carpentier spoke of the friendship between the two clubs and the possibilities for each, both as a cross channel destination and for future racing together. WSC Cruiser class Captain Steve Fraser addressed the terrasse in impeccable French and slightly dodgy english confirming the delight of WSC to be in Cherbourg and of the welcome received, already looking forward to YCC’s annual visit to Weymouth next year.
For the racers from WSC, Jez Rees announced the results. Ray and Lynn Capp’s Malo 34“Crystella” took the premier position in the PY class for the race over, against fierce competition. Mark and Rima Bugler’s J97 “Saskia VII” triumphing in IRC and getting line honours with a fantastic elapsed time of 9hrs 10mins double handed.
John Harvey on the beautiful "Theta" took the single handed award although Lesley had been clever enough to get herself on the winning boat....maybe that's how they won? Pied piper Jeremy Parkinson brought the following Stewart Roebuck and Jo Perry on "Swenn" through the middle entrance thereby missing the finish line at Fort de l'Ouest!
Over eighteen awards were made to sailors who had made their first channel crossing.
Having raced over or cruised, Weymouth Sailing Club boats returned to their moorings on Monday bronzed by the sailing and delighted at the welcome received. Enough to dull the memory of beating into a north westerly! WSC Commodore Kathy Claydon and her boat “Arcsine” missed the event through being somewhere off Portugal whilst sailing the BNY Mellon challenge with JOG.
Centenary events continue through the year with sailing, history and partying all playing their part. We look forward now to the re-launch of the Bussell Cup, a trophy from 1923, which will be sailed in Merlin Rockets against Parkstone Yacht Club on 27th July.
Jez
Submitted on 25th June 2013