Sunday 21st June 2009 – Report and results:
The sun shone on sailors at Helford River Sailing Club as 16 dinghies took part in the annual Susanna May Memorial Cup.
With winds averaging 10 – 14 knots from the North West the popular event saw the competitors starting from the middle of the Helford River, beating against the wind up to Trebah Beach before heading back to Gew in the gusty and challengind conditions.
On board the committee boat were members of Susanna May’s family and friends, including her husband Fido who started the race for Race Officer Sarah Mason. After a short delay due to the gusty and shifting winds, the fleet set off towards the Turning mark off Trebah beach. Anton Chamberlain was first around the windward mark followed by Phil Samuel and Stuart Sawyer sailing with daughter Cara.
The Lasers took advantage of the long downwind run to Gew ready for the beat back into the wind to Trebah. Tony Statham in the Laser sailed a particularly good beat to get into the lead, followed by Anton Chamberlain in the Comet and Roger Macdonald always challenging in the other Laser, but it was Adam Mason sailing a Solo, that made the most of the conditions and despite being in a slower boat kept with the top 4 that kept clear of the fleet throughout the race. Fighting for 5th place on the water were Stuart and Cara Sawyer sailing a National 12, Andy Biggs in the Laser, Phil and Dave Philpott sailing Solos
In the Ladies, Ginnie Sykes got off to a great start and was in the leading pack all the way to Gew, in the end though it was Beccy Kestin, also sailing a Laser that came through to take the honours.
Dinghy sailing at Helford River Sailing Club is getting ever more popular with all types of dinghies and sailors from 7 to 75 taking part. Competition throughout the fleet was tight with places changing all the time. The proof of this must be the almost dead heat between Andy Biggs in his Laser and Dave Philpott in his Solo finishing just 1 second apart after an hour’s sailing.
Competitors returned to the club to the traditional sailing tea provided by the May family with prizes being presented by Fee Chick, a long family friend. Jane Benney, Commodore HRSC remarked that ‘the race and the tea has become a feature of the sailing calendar especially as the club had started out as a dinghy sailing club, with the May family as founder members.’
In true Helford style, prizes were awarded not only to the overall winners, but also to acknowledge and encourage the other sailors taking part.
Results :
- 1st: Adam Mason
- 2nd: Tony Statham
- 3rd: Roger Macdonald
- 1st Double Hander: Stuart and Cara Sawyer
- 1st Ladies Helm: Becky Kestin
- 1st Junior: Cara Sawyer
