Torpoint Dinghy Regatta

A pessimistic rainy weather forecast could have dampened spirits for Torpoint Mosquito’s 2015 dinghy regatta, sponsored by GSR Chandlery, but on the day the sun shone, a useful breeze blew and everyone enjoyed an excellent day’s sailing.

In a departure from the usual courses,

race 1 saw the crews race down the Hamoaze and up to Millbrook before returning via Ferry Mark.

The runaway leader on the water was the twin-hulled Hurricane crewed by Matt Theobald and Carol Hammond with the Jolly Boat (crewed by Roger Holman and Stefano Franzolini) coming in eight minutes behind to take first place on corrected times.

Jack Mann and Beth Cowd (Wanderer) took second with Mark Helyer (Vareo) taking third. The two Comets (the Duo crewed by William Shimell and the Versa crewed by George Dalley) finished less than a minute apart in eighth and ninth places with Bruno Poet and young Millie Poet (Feva) taking seventh, Derick Reynolds (Aero) sixth, Ronnie Carter (Laser) in fifth and Tony Ayers and James Fortt (2000) finishing fourth.

Unfortunately, Geoff Hall (Solo) and Andy Allen (Vareo) could not join race 2 which saw a stronger breeze and a course up to the top of St John’s Lake. Again the cat crewed by Theobald and Hammond got round in an enviable time to take second place on corrected times with Tony Ayers and James Fortt (2000) taking first and Mark Helyer (Vareo) taking third.

Had Helyer joined the fleet for the third race, he could well have been among the overall winners for a race around the usual marks of St John’s, West Mud and Ferry. This saw Ayers and Fortt again take first place with Ronnie Carter (Laser) taking second and in an excellent showing for a crew that has not raced all season, Bruno Poet and daughter Millie (Feva), taking third.

The overall winners were presented with prizes by Geraldine Roberts and Ruby Pearce-Casey, of regatta sponsors GSR Chandlery. The regatta trophy will be presented at the prizegiving in November.

Overall results

1 Tony Ayers & James Fortt (2000) 2 Ronnie Carter (Laser) 3 Roger Holman & Stefano Franzolini (Jolly Boat) 4 Jack Mann & Beth Cowd (Wanderer).

n Tomorrow (Saturday) the Torpoint Mosquito club are holding a charity race between yacht and dinghy sailors and windsurfers in aid of St Luke’s Hospice starting at 4pm.