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Variously N-NW 3 Culdrose N 4 RYA PY Spring Series Windward Leeward x2
Helm
Crew
Class
Name-No.
PY
Race 1
Elapsed
Correct
Race 2
Elapsed
Correct
Phil Philpott
Solo
4785
1150
1
2426
2110
2
1584
1377
Adam Mason
Solo
4099
1150
2
2473
2150
1
1577
1371
Andy Biggs
Karen Biggs
Nat 12
3326
1083
3
2424
2214
6
1732
1582
Roger McDonald
Beccy Kestin
RS400
958
948
3
2099
2214
4
1348
1422
Ollie Berryman
Ed Bolitho
RS400
588
948
5
2116
2232
3
1342
1416
Anton Chamberlain
Comet Trio
417
1085
6
2528
2330
7
1776
1637
Stephen Brooks
Laser
179651
1085
7
2620
2415
9
1874
1727
Matt Ridout
Laser
163110
1085
8
2698
2487
8
1823
1680
Tony Statham
Laser
91500
1085
9
2702
2490
5
1651
1522
Mark Belshaw
Firefly
F3591
1168
10
Duty
Ave Points
The Greek Connection
This week’s alpha-beta males Adam Mason and Phil Philpott inseparably and alternately triumphed with laurels earned over two races within a spring series of Odyssian proportions Sunday.
2340 years before the Olympic Flame arrived at Culdrose, Pytheas, the first literate Greek to visit Cornwall likely moored in Helford’s haven before rounding the Lizard for tin at Ictis – St Michaels Mount. Whether coracle racing was provided as entertainment in 330BC is not recorded, however a veritable feast of sailing was on offer this weekend at Helford River SC.
The fleet proceeded phalanx like to the start under Bosahan, apart that is from one dissenting hoplite Adam Mason hoping for advantage from the pin end. Hope and a 720 degree penalty for hitting Tony Statham’s laser was all Adam got whilst under the Stygian gaze of marshal Mark Belshaw. Belshaw’s Pythagorean designs and sun dial timings left some in momentary self doubt – but not the Purple RS400 that streaked away.
Adonises of the fleet, Ollie Berryman and Ed Bolitho got off to a spluttering start after the nautical exertions and excesses of the previous 24hrs. Facing a herculean struggle following a back sliding by Ollie, the boys pursued McD and Nauarch Kestin, but not until race 2 was satisfaction had with a 6 fine seconds lead. Ollie – think Mr Zog’s.
Andy & Karen Biggs had received enough sailing treats already and a commendable 3rd in the first race signalled the end of their honeymoon, with the RS400’s giving no quarter in the stiffer gusts of the second. Anton Chamberlain stoic in single handing the Comet Trio did well to keep out of Poseidon’s clutches. The same could not be said for Brooks & true Corinthian Statham. Someone had substituted knicker elastic for the mainsheet of Tony’s laser – not helpful on the gybe at Bosahan. Brooks offered no excuse other than the lure of Sirens on the run from Durgan leaving a young Matt to profit from his own impressive endeavours and his mentors’ errors.
Nothing compared to the small dramas at the Helford with those of a true Olympian Ben Ainslie winning his 6th world title at the Finn Championships Friday. Athletes and indeed heroes earn their place in history combating Titans real and metaphorical sent against them. Whatever happens after Friday 18th May, Cornwall will remember Ben winning 3 races in monstrous conditions.
The summer sailing season approaches – and it’s entirely possible Chris Hosken & son’s forbears emerged from their Fogou at Boden Vean one morning to race their coracle to a vessel from Brittany carrying a Greek from Massalia. In his lost book – On the Ocean, Pytheas describes the Cornish as especially friendly to strangers having adopted a civilised way of life because of their interaction with traders and other peoples. It seems […]