2022 Fowey River Championships in Fowey, Cornwall

2022 Fowey River Championships © Marcus Lewis

2022 Fowey River Championships © Marcus Lewis

Fowey Sailing Committee, a combined body representing Fowey Gallants Sailing Club and Royal Fowey Yacht Club, hosted the 2022 Fowey River Championships in Fowey, Cornwall over the weekend of May 21st and 22nd.

Saturday 21st May saw the start of the annual event for the classic clinker built Fowey River dinghies. Always a popular sight in Fowey Harbour, each boat has its own distinctive colourful set of sails. Based on the design of a fifteen foot knockabout first published in Yachting World and Motor Boating Journal in April 1939 the first Fowey River was built in 1950. By 1965 there were 36 boats and since the early 2000's there has been increased interest in the fleet.

Seven races were scheduled over the two days with five races to count to be sailed in Fowey Harbour and Fowey Bay. There was a great turnout, with 23 boats entering the event.

Saturday brought light breezes and a lumpy sea in the bay so it was decided to keep the fleet in the harbour for the three morning races. With the wind blowing down the harbour the race officer was able to set a good windward leeward course.

The first race saw Sal and Kim Furniss in Teal no.70 establish an early lead and they won the race, followed by Philip and Sian Henson in Zethar no.68 and Andy and Suzy Matthews in Kingfisher no. 53. The rest of the morning races followed a similar pattern with both 1st places going to Teal, and Zethar and Kingfisher sharing 2nd and 3rd. 4th places went to Kate Arter and Peter Siddall in Wild Bird no. 55, Dave Gamble and Hazel Bradish in Victory no.39 and then Alan Hall and Alex McKay in Swift no.67 in the final race of the morning with some stiff competition further down the fleet. Especially pleasing was seeing the newest Fowey River, named Craig-B no.71, partaking in his first championships following the recent launch by owner Cathy Baillie.

In the afternoon the Fowey Rivers joined the normal club sailing with the Troys and the cruisers and the fleet headed out into Fowey Bay. Kingfisher headed out of the harbour first but was soon overtaken by Teal to make it an impressive 4th victory of the day for Sal and Kim. Kingfisher was 2nd and Zethar 3rd.

A pleasant Saturday evening was spent at the Royal Fowey Yacht Club at the Championship dinner followed by some sea shanty entertainment and a good singalong.

2022 Fowey River Championships - photo © Marcus Lewis

Sunday morning was a beautiful sunny day but the start was delayed to allow the wind to fill in. Due to the absence of wind in the bay it was decided to run three races in the harbour. The wind was again south westerly and filled in to a sailable 10 knots although it was patchy. The first race saw a change in fortune with Kingfisher ahead from the start. Richard Simmons and Nigel Gatehouse in Kittiwake no. 63 came in 2nd and Teal in 3rd place. With the overall winner already decided there was all to play for in the rest of the fleet. The 4th race saw Teal returning to winning ways with Swift 2nd and Kingfisher 3rd. In the last race Zethar needed a win in order to get second place overall which they duly did after a close race with Teal. Wildbird came in Third.

2022 Fowey River Championships - photo © Marcus Lewis

Overall results were Teal no.70 first, Zethar no.68 second, Kingfisher no.53 third and Wild Bird no. 55 fourth. A convivial prize-giving was held on the Sunday afternoon at Fowey Gallants Sailing Club. All competitors agreed that it was a very successful and enjoyable event and thanks must go to all the organisers, but especially to John Burford the race officer and to all the safety boat crews.

2022 Fowey River Championships - photo © Marcus Lewis

Fowey Sailing Committee looks forward to hosting the International 14 Prince of Wales Cup on June 1-4 www.foweysailing.org/page/pow22-1 and the Albin Ballad 50th Anniversary racing on June 10-13 www.foweysailing.org/page/albin-ballad-50th-anniversary-uk-national-championships.

Details of all Fowey Sailing Committee events can be found at www.foweysailing.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @foweysailing

Thank you to Marcus Lewis for photos.

Overall Results: