Sailing conditions in Falmouth Sailing Week 2023 were significantly better than they had been the previous year which was overshadowed by extraordinarily light winds.

As usual the racing was split between Falmouth Bay and the Carrick Roads and – apart from the last day when strong winds forced cancellation of the Roads classes, and the Bay classes to race in the more sheltered waters of the Roads – competitive racing took place for all classes every day.

Falmouth Packet: Sailing in the baySailing in the bay (Image: Ian Symonds)

The only light winds of the week came on Wednesday when the Bay classes were racing for champagne prizes sponsored by Ancasta and the Roads classes for rum sponsored by Mainbrace Rum, but almost every boat managed to complete its course; and while racing took place the following day in fog, it was never thick enough to be dangerous and it provided unexpected navigational challenges which most competitors seemed to enjoy.

Falmouth Packet: Tim Pearce in his Falmouth Working Boat B Class, Cousin Jinny (56) won the Annear Cup and Wednesday’s Mainbrace Rum Race and was placed fourth overall in B class in the Carrick six-day seriesTim Pearce in his Falmouth Working Boat B Class, Cousin Jinny (56) won the Annear Cup and Wednesday’s Mainbrace Rum Race and was placed fourth overall in B class in the Carrick six-day series (Image: Ian Symonds)

In the Carrick Roads, Tim Laws’ Bad Toro dominated the fast dinghy class while Martin Egan – with a variety of crews and helms – won the slow dinghy class in his Mirror Blyskawica.

In the revitalised St Mawes One Design Class which is celebrating its centenary this year, Jeremy Dunn won every race in Kelpie.

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There were other overall wins for Mike Grice’s Ajax Polythemus, Len and Teresa Trenoweth’s Sunbeam Phantasy, David Mitchell’s Folkboat Aries in the YTC handicap yachts class, Simone Kennett’s Sophie in the Piper/Rustler class, and David Brunyee’s Arlette in the Falmouth Gaffers class.

Falmouth Packet: Gathering for the sailingGathering for the sailing (Image: Ian Symonds)

The Falmouth Working Boat B class was comprehensively won by Trevor Murphy in Moon, followed by Robin Edwards in Rita just a few weeks after he had bought the boat; while C class was dominated by Phil Slater’s Lottie.

With 23 entries, the Shrimper class was the biggest of the week, with overall victory in the 3-day series going to Stuart Sly’s Jackdaw by the narrowest of margins over Brian Phipps’ Ysella.

Next year Falmouth Sailing Week will take place from August 10-17.