Jacobi, Gotcha and Orijin just after the start

Jetta's crew, winners of the Dorothy Winfrey Cup: Phillip, Peter, Clive, John, David, Steve, and Carrie

The cross Channel L’Aber Wrac’h race is one of the high points of the sailing year at the Helford River Sailing Club. This year the event is extra special because it marks the 50th anniversary of the 93 mile race to Brittany. On the Wednesday evening before the L’Aber Wrac’h race sailors compete for the Dorothy Winfrey Cup, and there were ten boats out on the River to enjoy the easterly breeze. Race Officer John Hughes, assisted by Dr Ian and Mrs Wort, sent the PY and IRC yachts for a long beat out to the Eastern mark, with Jetta starting well, close to the Committee boat in the IRC race. Jacobi soon pulled ahead with Gotcha and Orijin in close company next, and Jetta fourth. After rounding Eastern there followed a tricky spinnaker leg to the Rosemullion mark, and then a more comfortable one to Nare point. Jetta was steadily gaining on the boats in front and when Gotcha made an uncharacteristic error, just before the Nare mark, dropping her AO sail, Jetta slipped through on the inside, passing both Gotcha and Orijin. In what turned out to be the final leg to Trebah, Jacobi led the way with Jetta managing to maintain her place, not too far behind. When the handicaps were applied to the finish times Jetta proved to be the winner over Jacobi by 20 seconds, after a 75 minute race. In the PY section Kudu recorded another win with Valkyrie second and Jinjy third. There were three Gaffers which followed a different course including Dennis, Toll, and the mark near Groyne Point, well up the River, to finish on the line opposite the Club. Roxanne and Tracey chose to use their topsails, and this gave them a decisive advantage over the more cautious Glen. First to finish was Roxanne, second was Tracey and Glen finished third. Following the race all of the sailors were able to join the French crews, (over for the L’Aber Wrac’h race), for a well supported BBQ on a fine evening.