Classic Boat - May 2018

DARTMOUTH

ST PETER PORT

PAIMPOL

CLASSIC CHANNEL REGATTA

W

hat went well today do you think?” our

skipper, Hugh Stewart of Mikara, asked

us at the end of our day’s racing during

the Classic Channel Regatta in

Dartmouth. “Hmm,” I replied. “No dismasting, no close

encounters, no disqualifi cation for bad behaviour, and we

weren’t last over the line, so really it wasn’t a bad day out.”

My hosts, Hugh Stewart and his wife Wendy, who had

squeezed me into Mikara, a Mistral Class 1974, at late

notice, had the grace to laugh. Our other crew consisted of

Steve Preston, musician extraordinaire, and friend Sandy

Briggs. They made a comfortable crew of four until I

showed up, having just sold my timber ¾ tonner, Polar

Bear. Five in a 34-footer would require considerable

tolerance. More about my sleeping quarters later.

The Classic Channel Regatta was started by Bruce

Thorogood, owner of a 42ft Holman, Mabel (AH Moody

& Sons, 1966). This was the seventh biennial event, with

just under 100 yachts, 400 crew and entries from Holland,

Belgium, France and the UK. Entrants can dip in and out,

joining or leaving halfway if they wish.

Our week started with an impressive parade of sail

along the River Dart. The fl otilla was a sight to behold

with bunting fl ying from every available halyard and mast

truck. We continued to the fi rst start line but drifted about

in a fl at calm, painted ships upon a painted ocean, until

the day’s racing was abandoned. This gave the hot and

sunburned crews plenty of time to sink cocktails before

tucking into a fantastic spread in the Old Market Square.

The evening ended with sea shanties and carousing.

The second day had better wind for the Salcombe Gin

Start Bay Race. There was a three-yacht collision at the

start – one was unfortunately forced to retire from the

entire regatta. While many entrants are club racers, a lot of

cruising sailors also take part. The racing is serious,

though, and all need to know the racing rules. Those

uncertain should endeavour to avoid the scrums and

bottlenecks. Mikara managed this well, the net result being

that we were regularly late over the start line. The bigger

Fleet parading round from

Lezardrieux to Paimpol on Bastille

Day. The lighthouse is La Croix of

Bréhat. Dulle Griet leads the fl eet

“