2021
PNYC Black Rock Race
It happened! After a seven year pause and inspite of dire weather warnings of Force 11 winds a couple of days before the race, our Black Rock challenge took place on Saturday. We had 12 hearty boat crews ranging from a classic gaffer to a 26ft racing catamaran to a 44ft modern Jeanneau. The plan was to start from a line just off Durgan and then race via the August Rock buoy, around the Black Rock and back again to the finish line.
True to form, all three of our current boats wouldn’t start. Simon Boote kindly allowed us to use his boat and that wouldn’t start either. Luckily Iain McLaren came up trumps with his small tender with which we could time the starts, while he kindly provided his big rib as the safety boat. So one crisis over.
When Ant and I got to the start line, there was not even a hint of wind. With three classes of boats, we grandly started the Sprat Class of four yachts.
Dragun (Charles Richardson) got away, somehow, but the other four spent an hour making almost no progress. And in the case of our gallant Race Captain, they went backwards and never managed to cross the start line for an hour until they resorted to their engine!!! It was pretty much the same for the next two classes of boats, Pilchard and Mackerel Classes – so crisis number two. After another half an hour barely moving from the start line, the decision was made to allow everyone to motor to the August Rock and then to start the race from there – with the exception of Dragun who led the race out into Falmouth Bay under sail all the way.
Another 45 minutes of no wind at August Rock followed by 95% of the PNYC racing fleet milling around like a flock of birds flying round in circles waiting for one bird to decide on which way to go. I contemplated cancelling due to lack of any motion (with the sole exception of Dragun) but was assured by Rob that the wind would come. And low and behold, some two hours plus into the race the wind arrived.
What followed was a cracking race to, round and back from The Black Rock in a steady Force 5-6 wind with the two catamarans, Lindy and Mirri, and Dragunleading the way and Cicada bravely bringing up the rear. It was lovely to see PNYC’s 12 boats in line astern racing across an empty Falmouth Bay. Along the way we had pretty much every kind of weather except snow.
A huge thanks to all the crews who took part with great humour and patience, particularly at the start. And massive thanks to Iain McLaren for providing the vital support boats and his time and support – couldn’t have done it without him. Finally thanks to Rob Templeton, our PNYC Race Captain, whose enthusiasm knows no bounds, unlike his boat! We have learnt a lot for next time – like make sure we have a working committee boat and make sure we actually have a radio on board!
The race was followed by a cracking night at PNYC Bar and Restaurant. A lovely set meal from Mike, a maritime based quiz (which was won by Jonathan Thornton and TeamCalico) and a bit of a lock in at the end. And not a mask in sight! Team Cicada and Mormendill finally left at 12.45, Cicada to bravely spend the night on their boat at the end of the pontoon. After locking up, Ant and I set off home, only to run out of petrol at High Cross Garage followed by an hour’s walk to get home. Crisis number 3. Perfect day.
Results:
Sprat Class Winner on handicap: Marty Ritchie skippered by Don Garman
Pilchard Class Winner on handicap: Mirri skippered by Roger McDonald
Mackerel Class Winner on handicap: Sea Otter skippered by Andy Cooke
Overall Winner (and only boat to sail the entire course): Dragun skippered by Charles Richardson.
Sprat Class: Cicada, Rob Templeton; Dragun, Charles Richardson; Mystery, Andy Bennett; Marty Ritchie, Don Garman. Pilchard Class: Guinevere, Paul Clark; Mirri, Roger McDonald; Calico, Jonathan Thornton; Katie, Angus MacArthur. Mackerel Class: Mormendill, Phil Clark; Yamanja, David Tippett; Sea Otter, Andy Cooke; Lindy, Keith Wilkinson.