CLASSIC FINN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2011
ROYAL CORNWALL YACHT CLUB, FALMOUTH
11th/12th June
from: Mark Belshaw
Eight boats made it down to Mylor Yacht Harbour on the morning of Saturday 12th June for the first day of the inaugural Classic Finn National Championships. The fleet consisted of four wooden and four grp boats built between 1963 and 1983.
Racing was held in the Carrick Roads under the burgee of the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club. Initially, four back to back races had been scheduled for each day, but, with the forecast for Sunday remaining dreadful for a number of days, it was decided to try to complete 5 races on the Saturday and cancel any racing for the Sunday. In the event, this was the right decision, as Sunday dawned wet and windy with mist and fog and squally conditions.
As the boats arrived at the start area, a comment was heard from the committee boat, asking whether the term “classic” referred to the age of the boats, or the helms!
The first four races were held in mainly light but shifty north westerly wind, especially approaching the windward mark under the Trefusis shore. The first race was won by Mark Belshaw in his newly restored 1973 wooden Taylor, followed home by Steve Robinson (1983 glass Vanguard) and Peter Vinton (1964 wood Fairey). The racing was close, and positions changed throughout the race. David Harker (1979 wood Warwick) was very much in contention until deciding to go for a swim on one of the downwind legs – this was later blamed on not being used to sailing in waves!
In race two Steve Robinson sailed home in first place, followed by Mark Belshaw, with Peter Vinton again taking third spot, and race three saw Mark taking a second win, with Steve in second and Peter in third place. Mike Bridgwater was going well, until kicker failure made the downwind legs a bit tricky.
At the start of race four, Mark misjudged the timing to the favoured port end leaving him trailing the fleet over the line, eventually fighting back to fourth place. Peter Vinton sailed a text book race to come in first, with Steve Robinson taking another second place, and David Harker third.
Race five started in similar conditions, with those going to the middle and left of the course coming out on top. Mark Belshaw, Graham Brookes and Ronney Ball rounded the windward mark first, before the wind started to freshen and back quite considerably, upsetting the angles of the legs, turning reaches to close hauled and runs, and the beat to a close reach. As a result the race became rather processional. The race officer, in an attempt to adjust the final leg to a beat, decided to move the finish line. However, as the fleet had become quite strung out by this stage, and with problems lifting the anchor, the committee boat was on the move as the first boats rounded the final mark. With no line to sail for, confusion ensued, and the Race Officer had little option but to abandon the race.
With insufficient time to put in another race, we all enjoyed an exciting planing reach back to Mylor Harbour. There was just about time to pack boats away, shower and change, before reconvening at the RCYC for a club supper and prize giving, which included vouchers for the first three places donated by series sponsor WAVELOFT, manufacturers of boat covers and accessories based in Falmouth.
With four races completed, results were calculated allowing one discard, resulting in Mark Belshaw being named the winner by the narrowest margin of just one point from Steve Robinson. Peter Vinton took third position, with David Harker in fourth slot.
At the prize giving Mark Belshaw introduced the “Ernie Tiller” Trophy, donated by himself, and to be sailed for on an annual basis at an event in Cornwall. The trophy is in memory of Andy Tyler, local sailor, yachting correspondent and one of the key players behind Falmouth’s successful bid for the Finn Gold Cup in 2012. Unfortunately, Andy died unexpectedly earlier this year, before he could see the results of all his efforts come to fruition. The title of the Trophy refers to Andy’s nickname, which, perhaps not without coincidence, sounds very much like the pronunciation of his name after consuming a number of glasses of fine ale!
We are planning another event for next year to run during the Falmouth Finn Festival which will also incorporate the British Open Championships and Gold Cup. Plans have already begun, and I will post details on the forum as they become available. Meanwhile, please pass on any comments or suggestions to me, and I look forward to seeing as many of you as can make it next year.
Results:
| Rank | Sail No | Boat | Club | Helm | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | Total | Nett |
| 1st | 388 | 1973 Taylor Wood | Helford River SC | Mark Belshaw | 1.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | (4.0) | 8.0 | 4.0 |
| 2nd | IRL 11 | 1983 Vanguard GRP | Saltash SC | Steve Robinson | (2.0) | 1.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 |
| 3rd | 197 | 1964 Fairey Wood | Staunton Harold SC | Peter Vinton | (3.0) | 3.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 10.0 | 7.0 |
| 4th | 475 | 1979 Warwick Wood | Roadford Lake SC | David Harker | (8.0) | 4.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 19.0 | 11.0 |
| 5th | 74 | 1973 Taylor Wood | Roadford Lake SC | Graham Brtookes | 4.0 | (8.0) | 5.0 | 6.0 | 23.0 | 15.0 |
| 6th | 467 | 1978 Taylor GRP | Roadford Lake SC | Ronney Ball | (7.0) | 5.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | 24.0 | 17.0 |
| 7th | 75 | Unknown
Pearson GRP |
Roadford Lake SC | Andi Wyer | 5.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | (8.0) | 25.0 | 17.0 |
| 8th | 166 | 1963 Elvstrom GRP | Bristol Corinthian Yacht Club | Mile Bridgwater | 6.0 | 7.0 | (8.0) | 7.0 | 28.0 | 20,0 |
