PTBO 2018 Photos (1)

The 62nd Helford to L’Aber Wrac’h race was held on 23rd June 2023 This year we had thirteen yachts, 6 French and 7 English, taking on the challenge of the Channel crossing, with 11 boats crossing the finish line. 

The wind was changeable, starting with a good breeze on the nose, which then went Westerly and variable near the French coast in the morning, the ultimate boat taking 3 hours to go six miles. 

The 1st five yachts finished within within 32 minutes of each other, a credit to the handicap committee. Only two boats retired, one motoring on to L’Aber Wrac’h, seeing seven pods of dolphins and two whales on the way and the other returning to Helford.

The prizegiving was held at the Yacht Club des Abers with a speech by David Kerlan, Mayor of Landeda & L’Aber Wrac’h and Rob Hewett, representing HRSC. Rob and Sue Hewett presented the prizes.

RACE RESULTS – The Winners

1st Calypso Jean Francoise Caraes

2nd  & Sundancer Trophy for 1st Helford Yacht –  Xenia Paddy Royall 

3rd Atahualpa David Guillam

Marie Jo Trophy was awarded to James Christie on Xenia, as the youngest competitor in the race.

The Bobby Martin Trophy for the 1st Yacht under 30” was awarded to Chris Clark on Grand Cru

FULL RACE RESULTS

Thanks must go to Daniel Dagorn, for the Prizegiving photographs and the YCA for the Race reception. Also to Rob Hewett, Anthony Jenkin, Johnny Walker, John Mills for Race Organization, and those who arranged and helped with a great Champagne reception.

Despite the unprecedented year 2020 has turned out to be, surprisingly we have seen an increase in new members joining the cl ub. We’ve been lucky enough to employ Oliver Hassell as Club Steward. Ollie previously worked at the Prince of Wales in St. Martin and I think you’ll all agree that he offers a very warm welcome on arrival.

Tuesday’s Adult Sailing has been steady and Wednesday night’s Keel Boat Racing has seen a regular 4-6 boats throughout the summer season, with the sailors coming up to the clubhouse to enjoy a meal and a few drinks after their time on the water. My thanks go out to Sally and the junior sailing volunteers who have given up their spare time to ensure that our young sailors get to enjoy the river safely. Although we couldn’t host as we normally would, the Falmouth Week Regatta saw 116 boats in the water, which was a huge success.

I’d like to thank all the Committee for their hard work during this difficult year, but especially Tracey, Penny and Jane for their work in preparing the club ready to welcome you all back after our first lockdown. I’d also like to thank our temporary chefs Chris and Adam who stood in at short notice and have done a sterling job feeding all the hungry sailors. Also thanks to Ed and Dave for their continued commitment to keeping the pontoon in a good state of repair. And last of all my thanks go to Peter, Mike and Tracey for their support on the financial side of the club which has been vital, especially during this unusual year.

I would like to wish all members a very happy and peaceful Christmas and a healthy New Year.

John Bolitho – Commodore

Winter Newsletter 2020Download

The following positions on the General Committee will be vacant as from the AGM in January 2016:

Rear Commodore Sailing
Honorary Secretary
Captain Dinghies
Captain Juniors
Captain Social
Captain Amenities

If you would be interested in any of these positions or need any further information please contact the Commodore, Mark Buckley, on 01326 281057 or email [email protected].

Tomorrow night, we will host a RECOVERY PARTY welcoming the arrival of our French boats. Champagne will flow & Pimms will be poured between 7 & 8pm. Don’t forget to buy your raffle ticket which might give you chance to win a bottle of Champagne.

The Cornish Food Hub will be serving up their legendary food starting from 5.30pm. So get ready for a feast fit for champions! The main bar will remain open long into the night. PLUS: Prepare to have your spirits lifted by the sensational sounds of Cornish band, the Stowes

The real action begins on Friday as the race kicks off in a blaze of glory! As is traditional before the race there will be a morning breakfast served before the competitors leave – details & timings to follow.

You can find the entry forms, Notice of Race, and Coastguard forms for the race here. Make sure to dot your i’s and cross your t’s, as French customs require the forename, surname, date, and place of birth for all crew members prior to the race. Rest assured, the dedicated L’Aber Wrac’h Committee has gone above and beyond to ensure a seamless arrival in France.

Mark your calendars, folks! The L’Aber Wrac’h Champagne Reception is an event you won’t want to miss. We can’t wait to see each and every one of you there!

Now that most of the boats and yachts are on dry land for safety over the winter season, and waiting for repairs and servicing to be done before launching again for next summer which I hope goes well for all Members, we have time to reflect on the season which hopefully we have all enjoyed.

The Club has been very popular this year and our new stewards have done extremely well. Word has been spreading up and down the coast about the great atmosphere and food at the Club. As a result of this we have had visits from many visiting yachtsmen and women, other sailing clubs and South West Gaffers to name but a few, all enjoying the Club facilities. Members have also been making the Club really busy this year, so much so that it has been necessary to buy extra seating for the balcony. Not only have the clubhouse and balcony been really busy but all the activities the Club runs have gone very well this season. Our Social Committee has arranged a really good social calendar for 2017/2018 and Members should keep a close eye on the Club emails and also this Newsletter for details. The ladies on the Social Committee have done us proud this year.

You will see from this Newsletter that all Membership, Mooring and Berthing fees will increase for 2018. Last year the fees were not increased because of the poor service offered to Members due to the lack of stewards. The increase for next year is to keep in line with inflation and more importantly to keep the Club on a sound financial footing. If you look around at the other local sailing clubs you will find that they do not offer as many activities or sailing boats that can be used free of charge, so that Members still have a good deal financially. In order to secure any stewards for this year the Club had to subsidise them as another year without stewards would have badly damaged the Club’s reputation and been a financial disaster. As the Club has been extremely busy this summer the Committee feels that it was a good decision. The winter season is also always difficult for stewards to make a living and they lose most of the profit made in the summer, thus the need for a subsidy. This arrangement is however up for negotiation in December.

As from the AGM on 19th January 2018 you will have a new Commodore who I hope will enjoy the job as much as I have and I am sure he or she will make a great success of it. All is looking good for 2018 here at the Club and better weather next summer would be a bonus.

Finally I wish you all a very happy Christmas and a successful New Year.

Mark Buckley – Commodore

Download Winter 2017 Newsletter