Falmouth Sailing Week begins today (but things are a bit different this year)

The Port of Falmouth Sailing Association (PoFSA) confirmed the news last month that the sailing could go ahead under the current restrictions.

It had already been announced earlier this year that the shoreside aspects of Falmouth Week had been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Read more: Falmouth Week shoreside events cancelled - but regatta still planned to go ahead

Interest in what is the first regatta to go ahead on the south coast has climbed as the event drew nearer and now more than 100 boats are due to compete.

Proceedings will of course be somewhat different this year, but the chance for the town to celebrate one of its landmark events will no doubt be welcomed by many.

Speaking last month when it was confirmed that Falmouth Sailing Week was going ahead, Neil Andrew, race management officer, said: “It was difficult at times as we felt we were looking through an out of focus pair of binoculars.

"When the Falmouth Town Falmouth Week organising committee decided it was no longer possible to hold any shoreside or music events it looked as though PoFSA were going to have to put away our flags and starting guns as well."

Competitors from last year were contacted to gauge interest in holding a regatta that could be organised within government legislation and it was the responses returned that meant it was a viable proposition, organisers said.

In the meantime Cowes Week, Royal Dartmouth Regatta and Fowey Week were all cancelled.

It wasn’t until July 11 that sufficient easing of restrictions gave the team the green light to go safely ahead.

Read more: Falmouth Sailing Week’s Champagne Race will run

A slimmed-down Falmouth Sailing Week will now take place over four days, beginning today (Wednesday).

There will be two racing fleets in the Carrick Roads and out in Falmouth Bay with the start lines close to Pendennis Point.

This will make an ideal viewing point to watch the action out on the water.

The organisers said the racing would be compliant with current Covid -19 legislation in that only same households – or household plus support bubble – may crew the boats and man the safety RIBS.

It will be run in a "conservative and considerate" way to minimise any risk using the Royal Yachting Association’s guidelines.

That does mean that there will not be any prizegiving teas or entertainment and receptions this year, but there will be a time after the regatta when winners will be invited to receive their prizes and keen fought for trophies in a socially distanced environment.

Today, Wednesday, August 12, will be the standalone Ancasta Champagne Day and tomorrow to Saturday will comprise a three-day series of six races for all classes sailed as regatta courses.

Jane Wright, the PoFSA sponsorship and publicity coordinator, said that all the partner sponsors were keen to continue their support and said that Ancasta Champagne Cup, the Hine Downing Bay Fleet and the Mylor Yacht Harbour Carrick Fleet were "providing excellent platforms for the racing community to challenge their skills".

More information can be found at www.pofsa.co.uk/index.htm

The Race Office is available via 01326 211555.

Falmouth Week plans to return in full on and off the water from August 6 to 15, 2021.