Over eighty members of Cherbourg and Granville Yacht Clubs arrived in Weymouth on Friday evening as the weather rapidly deteriorated; the start of the annual YCC Transmanche was brought forward to try to avoid the worst of the blow, though there were stories even so of very strong winds off Portland.
One of the smaller boats had the misfortune to be dismasted 20 miles south of the island. Being French, of course, they sorted themselves out and simply continued to Weymouth under motor! One boat, a Beneteau 25.7, caused concern by not turning up, until they rang from Portland marina, having followed the SORC fleet in the dark as they arrived at G mark.
A lively evening aboard the committee boat was followed by a long sleep and and day off in Weymouth; I joined the crew of the Grand Surprise 'Superflux', Thierry and Bernard, for a beer-tasting and lunch in the sunshine outside the Red Lion in Hope Square, followed by a walk round the Nothe and along the Stone Pier, where we met Ernie Lee watching a (rather small) WSC fleet racing in the bay – Squibs and dinghies outnumbered keelboats by far.
The evening was another demonstration of the organisational and culinary skills of Steve and Josie Dadd in preparing and cooking a BBQ for all our guests, and Cheryl's cake-making expertise did us proud with a wonderful 'historical' cake! Everyone had a great time, especially the members from Granville who hadn't been before– word has got around from last year that the Cherbourg - Weymouth race is a must in the sailing calendar, and GYC award the William the Conqueror Cup for the winner of the four stages Granville-Cherbourg-Weymouth-Cherbourg-Granville. We look forward to seeing how many more boats and crews come next year.
I shall be doing some WSC promotion during the Tour des Ports de la Manche in July, in which a lot of people at the BBQ on Saturday will also be competing. This involves a week of racing from Carteret to St-Vaast via the Channel Islands, Granville, Dielette and Cherbourg, with a party every night! I'm joining the crew of 'Superflux' who will be competing against half a dozen other Grand Surprises - and, of course, the other ninety boats! It's an event which WSC ought to be trying to be represented at in the future, in order to develop the existing links more fully - let's get some boats across the Channel to race as well as cruise!
Which brings me to the Cherbourg rally next month - I've heard people talking about coming already, and we'll soon be putting the list up, with the programme of events, based on the music festival on the 21st. I am going to organise a visit to the batteries under the Fort du Roule, and there will be the usual market and wine-tasting as well as socialising with YCC members at the Yacht Club. Get your crew organised and come along - the more the merrier!
Steve Fraser
Submitted on 11th May 2015