2016 Cruiser Race - Overall report

2016 Cruiser Race Maggie Widdop

2016 Cruiser Race © Maggie Widdop

We made good progress towards Swanage and some competitors chose to motor close in to St Albans Head to miss the race which was actually fairly benign. The wind dropped a bit then as we tacked along the stunning Dorset Coast with an interesting cloud formation. Everyone seemed to get to the entrance to Portland Harbour close together, where the finish was.

Left: The crew of Giuliana were looking extremely smart in their crew gear - 2016 Cruiser Race © Maggie Widdop

At about 1830 we gathered for a pontoon party and to hear the results of the first leg. Graham announced that Xtract had won the first leg followed by Bambella. The next morning with very little wind we started leg two from inside Portland Harbour. As we passed down the Bill we saw a cruise liner entering the Harbour through the southern entrance. The wind died in the lee of the Bill, as we were swept south with the tide.

2016 Cruiser Race © Maggie Widdop

The Race could not have been calmer and we were close into the coast to see all the interesting rock formations. De, aboard Kuutar, to keep further south than the rest of the fleet and try to catch the light zephyrs. The wind freshened as we approached Bury Head but then died as we neared the finish line. Several crews reported seeing dolphins and a seal. Eventually we were all tied up on a mid-river pontoon in Dartmouth.

2016 Cruiser Race © Maggie Widdop

On Monday we woke up to glorious sunshine. Most of the lady crews caught up with some retail therapy. In the evening we all dined at the Royal Dart Yacht Club where we bumped into the Greenhalgh and their friends. The results of leg two were announced and as usual the winners of 'Duck of the Day' The ducks were photographed on the next leg in some very interesting poses.

Leg 3 - written by Edward Stock

We started leg 3 at 0900 having just heard that Aeolus, unfortunately, had to retire due to a faulty stern gland. C.R.O Graham on Magic was joined by John Roberts who saw us off with a 'very clear line'. Due to the south easterly, an unpleasant swell had built up overnight which meant the race at Start Point was pleasant in comparison.

The conditions off the head lands were challenging with shifty and variable winds and several of us took the easy option to motor while admiring the view. Bigbury Bay was crossed in a S.E. Force 2-3. Magic and Dino Volante, the only boats flying spinnakers, regardless of the penalties.

2016 Cruiser Race © Maggie Widdop

We crossed Plymouth Sound in brilliant sunshine and force 3 S.E. All was relaxed and the British summer was with us at last. There was little to see apart from a few naval vessels, the Eddystone Lighthouse on the horizon to the south and the patchwork of the English country side to the north.

So time passed with frantic activity from the crew who were constantly calculating our motor/sail ratio. We made landfall at the intriguingly named Udder Rock Bell Boy, after which it was just a matter of identifying the St Austell Mill Brewery Boy for the finish. We motored into Fowey where we were very relieved to find water and diesel, both of which were registering empty.

2016 Cruiser Race © Maggie Widdop

Maggie mustered up the where-with-all for a pontoon party when Bambella's crew were presented with the 'Fowey Block', small consolation for being parted from their beloved 'quicker'. The Royal Fowey Yacht Club was the venue for our next supper on Wednesday night. The following morning we started the last leg at the entrance to Fowey harbour in very little wind and Dino Volante found that the tide had taken them the wrong side of the start line.

2016 Cruiser Race © Maggie Widdop

It was a very gentle sail to Falmouth, passed Gribben Head and Dodmin Point and finally passed St Anthony's Head to the finish at Block Rock. Our mooring for the two nights was at Falmouth Haven marina. The prize-giving was held the next day at lunchtime, followed by a buffet lunch at the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club. The overall winner was Xtract, second Kuutar and third Benbella. We had been lucky with the weather which added to the enjoyment of the week.

2016 Cruiser Race © Maggie Widdop

2016 Cruiser Race © Maggie Widdop

2016 Cruiser Race Prize List