Classic Boat – August 2019

28 CLASSIC BOAT AUGUST 2019

JANLEY

see anyone,” until they called the committee boat, having

heard they’d earned line honours and first in class on

corrected time. It happened again with race two. After

race three, they were so far ahead of the fleet that during

the Parade of Sail, they were the only boat in sight.

Race day four was a repeat so one can imagine Fraser’s

anticipation as he stood before the trophy-filled stage

at the awards ceremony.

Janley took first in Vintage Class easily but when the

announcer proclaimed her First Overall with the Mount

Gay Rum Trophy, no one was more astounded – or

pleased – than Cameron Fraser. He barely had time to

catch his breath before the next surprise – Janley and

crew were the winners of the coveted Panerai Trophy.

Woodstock owner, Andrew Robinson said, “I saw him

three days after the prize giving. He was on the boat –

still in shock!”

Light winds for the 2016 ACYR were a nod to the

California-bred boat yet she doesn’t fear the Tradewinds

between islands. “I’ve learned if the wind is getting up

in this boat, reduce sail!” Fraser stated. “It has an

extraordinary ability to point to windward – a lot

of volume forward.” Fraser carries a symmetrical

spinnaker. “Out in 18 knots, we put the spinnaker

up and do 11–13.5 knots downwind!”

Janley raced in the 2017 Classic Regatta in Antigua,

hoping for a repeat win, but winds hitting the low 20s

coupled with gear-breaking seas favoured heavier

contenders. She placed second in a class of six.

Restoring Janley consumed copious amounts of

time, talent and money. When asked if it might have

been easier to buy new, Fraser assured, “I wanted

to do the project. It’s a hobby – I can’t leave it alone.”

Tinkering brings as much joy as sailing.

“My wife says it’s an obsession I can discuss in

public,” he joked.

For Woodstock, well known for their work on

mega-yachts, it was a chance to showcase their talent

• a perfect match for their skill and one they’d like to
  repeat. “That’s a hard act to follow,” Robinson said.
  “If we had nothing but rebuilds like that – we wouldn’t
  be fixing fiddles!”

CORY SILKEN

Taking part in

Antigua classics

2016