Ajax class at Falmouth Week 2024

by Neil Williams and Martyn Osborne 22 Aug 19:47 NZST 10-17 August 2024

13 crews entered the Carrick fleet race week. The forecast was for mixed conditions ranging from light to 5 gusting 6 and that's roughly what came along...

Race 1 Sunday

First race on Sunday was F4-6 easterly on outgoing tide with the fleet bunched at committee boat for the start. All that is except for Diomedes who banged in a port start at the pin end which paid off, taking an early lead up the first beat. It was a shifty affair with some big gusts galloping down the Roads. The windward mark sat in the lee of the headland with a port rounding, Diomedes held first place, a good few boat lengths clear of Kali followed by Polyphemus and Artemis with Halcyon and Friday in hot pursuit.

Reaching back to the western side to the Mylor buoy was tight with some big gusts which seemed too much to fly kites though Halcyon gave it a go and went off in the direction of Falmouth for a short while before dropping and resuming course for the mark. All positions were held at Mylor before hardening up to beat up to St Just on the eastern side where Diomedes just about squeezed the mark, still out in front after the rounding with Kali and Polyphemus in close attendance. In the strengthening breeze came a bear way heading south and down to East Narrows which tested the lead boats.

No change in play at the East Narrows rounding but the front of the field was now very compressed with only a few boat lengths between first and fourth.

A reach back to the west side and Mylor buoy again saw Kali and Polyphemus engaged in their own race pushing high enough to bear away and try fly the kite. Polyphemus was first to try but swiftly stowed away. Diomedes was still ahead but Polyphemus had now sneaked past Kali in to second, choosing to go left up wind to the St Just buoy. Diomedes was initially headed and tacked onto port then going right with Kali and Halcyon following, Artemis a distant 5th and Friday staying in touch.

It was close at St Just with a fast-moving Polyphemus crossing just behind Diomedes themselves taking a last chance tack in front of the buoy but still holding first position.

Yet another big bear away heading south to Cream of Cornwall with Diomedes mixing the marks and starting to bear away too early allowing Polyphemus to slip by and take the lead with Kali a dozen boat lengths back in third and Halcyon forth.

A starboard rounding at CC on to a run heading back west towards the Trefusis saw the first real chance to deploy the kite. Polyphemus having the kite stowed on the correct side lifted cleanly and stretched her legs. A different story for Diomedes having stowed for a port rounding needing to gybe to deploy the kite. A difficult lift with the halyard caught in the spreader allowed Kali to slide past and take second place.

Trefusis now rounded on Port saw Polyphemus with a strong 8 boat length lead from Kali with Diomedes another 6 boat lengths back for the final beat up to West Narrows and the finish line.

Polyphemus led the final leg. Diomedes having lost first place made a very determined effort to make up for lost ground gaining rapidly over Kali who had tacked short of the lay line. Diomedes hung it out to the end and tacked bang onto starboard lay line which looked favourable though with 100 meters to go was nearly thwarted by a working boat on port, however they tacked away allowing Diomedes to tack on the buoy and retake second place with Kali crossing shortly after in third. Halcyon bagged a fourth, followed by Artemis with Friday having retired.

Race 2 Monday

The winds for Monday had eased considerably flowing Westerly F2-3.

The fleet all bunched at the Committee boat end for a start on starboard with a couple of boats squeezed out to round again slotting through the narrow gap appearing just after the gun. A few concerned faces amongst the race committee for sure!

Polyphemus, Artemis, Halcyon then Diomedes led off the line. All boats avoiding the tide and short tacking up below St Mawes castle before tacking back onto starboard to cross the deep channel at its narrowest point. First windward leg was convincingly won by Artemis followed by Polyphemus, Kali, Pintail, Diomedes, Halcyon, Kittywake, Achilles, Redoubtable, Persephone and Friday.

The fleet then took on the run down to Zulu on starboard trying to make best of outgoing tide. Polyphemus, Artemis and Pintail staying much more in the middle with Kali gybing onto port and going for the shallows.

Further down the track Diomedes was now in defence mode at Zulu to try to hold off kittiwake who were going deeper looking for an overlap with Halcyon just above and Achilles closing in.

At HD buoy the fleet dropped kites and hardened up still on starboard before tacking onto port again looking for a channel with as much slack water as possible.

At the head of the race there was a ding-dong of a battle going on between Artemis and Polyphemus with Kali and Pintail close by.

Just behind Diomedes tacking back onto starboard saw Achilles ahead with Kittiwake and Halcyon benefiting from a huge lift on port which resulted in Diomedes losing two places.

The fleet found winds difficult to read under Pendennis Head with fickle fading wind though positions broadly unchanged Next mark at Cn was a reasonable run on Port under 3 sails with the fleet closing up on each other. All boats dropped kites cleanly and rounded before short tacking up in front of St Mawes castle for the second time still trying to avoid the tidal flow.

At Governor and then East Narrows the lead boats were Polyphemus, Artemis, Kali and Pintail with a gap to Halcyon, Kittiwake, Diomedes and Achilles.

The beat to Trefusis with fading breeze was painful with the tide pushing south. The most direct line also had a huge super yacht had moored just off the entrance to Falmouth causing a wind shadow half way up the approach. The lead boats took the right side of the course whilst Diomedes continued up the beat on the left to the sea defence wall looking for the lay. Kittiwake took an early tack on to port with another tack on to starboard to approach the mark. Meanwhile Diomedes already on the lay line made the mark ahead of Kittiwake and Achilles were next around.

The run to Waterloo was shifty and again punctuated by a super yacht complete with an enormous water slide. The wind shadow provided an interesting approach to Waterloo, with all boats holding position for the drop and beat back up to Sunbeam which was the final mark of the shortened course. Quite a contrast in conditions to the previous days sailing with the finishing positions Polyphemus, Artemis, Kali, Pintail, Diomedes, Kittiwake, Halcyon, Achilles.

Race 3 Tuesday

This turned out to be a bigger day on the water than most expected with wind southerly force 5 to 6. Start was set east of Vilt with a much-reduced fleet in search of thrills and they were not disappointed. Artemis suffered gear failure on the way to the start line which left four brave crews to battle it out.

Diomedes, Polyphemus, Achilles and Halcyon all got off to a blistering start in a wind over tide sea. Hugging the coast appeared to be the favoured route though Diomedes went out to centre channel to get the best of the outgoing tide. Lifts were good along the coast with Polyphemus getting the better of Halcyon and Achilles. Top mark rounded (Sn)with Polyphemus leading the way closely followed by Halcyon and then Diomedes with Achilles in hot pursuit in an ever-building sea and breeze. South Narrows was successfully rounded by all.

A tight reach followed to Trefusis with Polyphemus and Halcyon flying kites. Diomedes chose not to, however Polyphemus and Halcyon had not gained significantly with kites up.

At Trefusis Polyphemus rounded ahead of Halcyon and enjoyed some close racing with Halcyon who was pushing Polyphemus ever higher and above the next mark (NB). Diomedes in the meantime was laying the mark and making ground at every opportunity, surfing down the waves as they went.

Halcyon finally submitted to Polyphemus who still managed to make NB just in front of Diomedes who rounded in third place. All hardened up for the beat back to Waterloo. Polyphemus choosing to go inshore with Diomedes again going down the channel to take advantage of the building outgoing tide and in doing so sailed over Halcyon. At the next crossing Halcyon retired due to gear failure and a broken rudder shaft, leaving just 3 boats racing with Polyphemus still out in front, Diomedes in second and Achilles in third all beating to W and onto Sn before a fetch across to Governor.

From Governor it was all downwind to Sunbeam with Polyphemus and Diomedes still in touch sailing under 3 sails with Achilles slipping back choosing to sail under 2 sails.

A big gybe at Sunbeam and a tighter reach across to St Just followed with Diomedes again surfing the waves in hot pursuit of Polyphemus who dropped the kite at St Just a good dozen boat lengths ahead of Diomedes who also dropped and rounded and thought about sailing for height to bear away and fly the kite to the finish but Polyphemus were beyond being caught and the kite stayed in the bag. All in all, quite an experience and a fantastic day out.

Race 4 Wednesday - The long-distance Rum Race

The winds were back again for the traditional long-distance race with the prize being bottle of the finest Mainbrace Rum which certainly encouraged the fleet out in challenging conditions. A force 4 gusting occasionally 6 North Westerly breeze greeted the crews. This was to be the widest start line of the week start line with a port bias. Polyphemus, Artemis Halcyon and Pintail crowded at the pin end which resulted in contact and words exchanged. It seems that Polyphemus got hooked by Artemis, who gave limited time to react and their boom hit polyphemus' shrouds.

This contact then put Polyphemus about and straight into the path of Redoubtable coming in on starboard. Polyphemus then subsequently had to try and tack back but had no way on so couldn't very quickly which then put Redoubtable about. Polyphemus then bore away to get back over the line as they had also be OCS in all the fun! The rest of the fleet got away cleanly.

Artemis also popped in a penalty turn for the contact with Polyphemus and were most likely OCS too...!

In the mayhem Diomedes abandoned their port flyer plan which had gone so well on Sunday, now having to duck low at the pin after the gap they were aiming for disappeared in the mayhem, however it opened up nicely mid line and she made the only clean start ducking Redoubtable's transom. Diomedes, Kali and Pintail immediately choosing the right-hand side of the beat to Wx. Positions changed all the way up the beat with Polyphemus making it in first place followed by Halcyon, Kali, Artemis, Pintail, Kittiwake, Diomedes, Redoubtable and Achillies.

Port rounding at Wx, with a short run downwind to PW (Mylor) with Polyphemus out in front and Kali trading places with Halcyon. Diomedes moving up the field taking the direct route and getting the inside overlap on Pintail and Kittiwake. All boats rounding on Port cleanly before a fetch up to Pascoe's boat yard with Diomedes, Pintail and Kittiwake in close contact trading places all the way resulting in Pintail just getting momentarily ahead below Diomedes with Kittiwake trying a little too hard and sailing too high.

No change in the front 4 and closing in on the mark with a dozen boat lengths to go and again rounded on Port, Diomedes re-establishing fifth place with Pintail, Kittiwake, Redoubtable and Achilles making up the rest of the field.

Next leg was a beat up wind to CK (Carrick) against the outflowing tide, Kali, Diomedes, Redoubtable and Achillies choosing to go right with the rest of the field going left. Halcyon going hard right a little too far and losing ground.

Ck was taken to port where Polyphemus nudged the mark and put her turns in, still amazingly holding position from Kali and Artemis before baring away for a long run down to Vilt and on to Waterloo. On the run to Waterloo some gybed a couple of times whilst others including Diomedes soaked down. Polyphemus rounded well ahead with Artemis in second choosing to immediately tack out in to the channel as did Diomedes now in fourth. Kali in third followed Polyphemus back across the channel to Governor before the pack gybed to port and again back across the ebbing tide and down to Castle. Further back Pintail was closing up having got the better of Halcyon.

Kites dropped at Castle with Kali in all sorts of bother on the drop. Leaders all hardening up for the beat back up to Sunbeam other than Diomedes taking a quick tack to clear Kali before tacking back and up the St Mawes coast which turned out to be the better option. Pintail led the remainder of the fleet and also tacked up the coast making some amazing gains.

Sunbeam was rounded first by Polyphemus followed by Artemis on a huge lift to the mark. Diomedes initially closing back in on Kali was in difficulty having been pushed out and off the lay line by a working boat also going to Sunbeam. This allowed Kali to regain their advantage and also for Pintail to slip inside and pick up fourth at the mark.

These positions were maintained with a reach across to Cream of Cornwall before gybing on the mark and the final beat back up to Trefusis and the finish line. Mid channel Diomedes just sneaked over the top of Pintail and held a starboard tack to within touching distance of the finish. Pintail tacking onto port and heading into the tide. At the front Polyphemus was well clear and home for another solid victory however just a couple of minutes back Artemis and Kali were having a right old ding-dong for second place. Kali just sneaking it on the line with just 6 seconds separating them. Kali showing some significant pace which was to again come good later in the week. One minute behind, Diomedes just managed to cross a fast finishing Pintail to secure 4th with Halcyon, Kittiwake, Redoubtable and Achilles finishing behind. Rum therefore went to the deserving crew on Polyphemus, Mike Grice, Kyran Hooper and John Howard. This race proved once again how close the racing is in this fleet and why it is considered one of the strongest on the harbour.

Thursday racing was cancelled due to heavy winds and low visibility. With some crews in recovery mode it was a welcome break.

Friday Race 7

Wind NW force 2 to 3 with two laps of a windward leeward set. Diomedes first away at committee boat end start with Kali, Achillies, Friday, Nemesis and Polyphemus just behind. Artemis and Pintail decided to get to know each other better and ended up making contact and exchanging pleasantries.

The first beat was a game of snakes and ladders with many place changes in the shifty conditions. Eventually Polyphemus showed her class and rounded in first place followed by Diomedes and Kali with the rest of the fleet bunched up behind. Kali was again showing great pace and kept Polyphemus honest throughout the race and were unlucky not to take the lead and win. In the end though Polyphemus held on with Kali second followed by Artemis in third.

Further down the fleet Kittiwake and Halcyon were charging for the line with the kites up only for Kittiwake to be forced wide on the finishing pin mark for which Halcyon later did the gentlemanly thing and apologised.

Friday Race 8

Light winds again prevailed with a mid-line start for Diomedes in pole position closely shepherded by Kali, Halcyon, Nemesis and Polyphemus. Artemis was a country mile over the line having to duck back and go again. The First beat was to Wx with a starboard rounding, Diomedes Nemesis, and Kali going left with the rest of the fleet going right.

Diomedes just ahead up this beat, then getting tangled with a small motorboat that clearly didn't know or chose to ignore the rules of the road with a net result of Diomedes losing three places.

There then followed a beat up to Vilt with Kali doing well, out in front, closely followed by Nemesis, Pintail, Polyphemus Halcyon and Diomedes who all tacked up the St Mawes coast in an ebbing tide before crossing to Vilt. Huge tide on Vilt catching a few boats out with additional tacks to make the mark.

The run down to Governor saw all positions held with boats soaking on starboard tack with Nemesis making gains on a very fast Kali. All boats gybed on G again with positions held. Kali, Nemesis, Pintail and Halcyon going high with Diomedes choosing to soak to the mark. This was a Port rounding and hardening up to a very tight reach to the finish at Bohela.

Kali, Nemesis and Pintail flew kites until around half way to the harbour at St Mawes before dropping their kites with Halcyon and Polyphemus toughing it out up to try to make the mark but way too high and two sail reaching to the line. Diomedes sailing much lower holding the kite to within 10 boat lengths and gaining rapidly on Halcyon.

Final positions were Kali, a well-deserved first, Nemesis second and Pntail third. Very close for fourth with Polyphemus just ahead of Halcyon and Diomedes half a boat length further back.

Saturday Race 9 Windward / Leeward

All set for the final day and what a day it proved to be. The winds were steady force 2 to 3 and much was dependent upon tide and local knowledge. The start was a without too much drama, most teams getting away well. Light winds combined with tide encouraged place changes on the beats and runs with some very close quarter crossing between all boats up and down the fleet. Some notable moves included a fast moving Amalthea causing Polyphemus all kinds of problems up the first beat putting her about at one point. Diomedes now keen to put a bad previous day behind her, hugely overstood the windward mark only to come flying in on a fetch to take third place on to the next run. Halcyon was certainly the most notable performance in this race with the strongest performance of the week to bag a second. Results were Nemesis, Halcyon, Diomedes, Artemis, Polyphemus, Pintail, Kittywake, Kali, Achilles, Redoubtable, Friday, Victory and Amalthea.

Saturday Race 10

Last race of the week and Polyphemus had it all sewn up however 2nd place overall was still wide open with just a point each between Diomedes, Artemis and Kali so everything to play for when lining up on the start line. Throw into the mix Halcyon and Nemesis who were both sailing well and it was all to play for, so some very twitchy helms and sharply focused crews headed down to the line with any earlier thoughts of the elusive port flyer stowed in the high-risk locker for another day.

The wind was WNW Force 2 to 3 so lightish winds again but with less tide than previously with a strong Port end bias. A mid line start for Diomedes with Artimis taking the lead closely followed by Pintail, Polyphemus Kali, halcyon, Nemesis, Achilles, Victory, Redoubtable and Kittiwake completing the line up.

The first Beat to Wx which had been anchored mid-way between St Mawes head and Pendenis head with a Port rounding. The fleet split with Artimis, Halcyon, Pintail, Nemesis and Diomedes tacking onto Port and up in front of St Mawes Castle benefiting from a good lift around the headland. Kali, Kittiwake, Polyphemus and Achilles choosing to go central to take the last benefit of the incoming tide.

Then came the run on starboard to Pendennis with a harden up for the Reach to Carricknath with positions held on starboard tack Positions at leeward mark were Artemis, Nemesis, Pintail, Polyphemus, Kittiwake, Kali, Achilles, Diomedes, Friday, Redoubtable and Victory.

The beat back to Governor saw the whole fleet going right with Artemis already on the horizon making gains everywhere.

Diomedes pinned under Pintail and Kali (on port) dropped back to tack onto starboard and made great progress across the channel laying the mark on a huge lift. With just a few boat lengths to go to the mark Diomedes tucked in just behind Artemis jumping from a distant 8th up 2nd place and right back in contention with Nemesis just a boat length back being hunted down by Pintail and Polyphemus.

Starboard rounding on Governor and a bear away to a very tight reach to East Narrows saw Artemis out in front and sailing high to protect the lead with Diomedes matching her course. Nemesis was now five boat lengths back with Pintail and Polyphemus wedged between Kali and next place Kittiwake.

Kites dropped at EN and a very nervous beat across to Trefusis and the finish line. Diomedes gaining on Artemis rapidly and looking to possibly challenge for the lead and line glory, however a very fast finishing Nemesis diverted Diomedes' attention who swiftly changed to defensive mode throwing in six swift covering tacks trying to cover 2nd place. This inevitably slowed both boats down and allowed Pintail and Polyphemus to make up ground in the closing half mile with Kittiwake also getting the better of Kali.

Final race finishing positions were Artemis, Diomedes, Nemesis, Pintail, Polyphemus, Kittiwake, Kali, Achilles, Friday, Amalthea, Redoubtable, Victory,

Round up

There's no doubt that Polyphemus was a deserving champion and were quick in all conditions, so well done to Mike, Kyran and John. Positions behind second to fourth had been undecided until the final race showing what an amazingly close week it was. Diomedes though managed to retain second overall where they had been most of the week with Artemis climbing to third above Kali who had shown championship winning pace at times and will certainly be one to watch next season.

The short race series held over the last three days of the full week was won by the very fast Nemesis who put in a guest appearance over the last 3 days.

Finally, no Ajax event these days would be complete without the spot prize slot brought to us by Dan Teubert and the Nemesis crew. Dan is not only a very quick sailor but also the star raconteur of the fleet who nominates certain lucky boats for special mention/prize at the class champs and Falmouth Week and with much humour came the winners this year...

• Broken rudder award - Halcyon - winning a Harken tee shirt and hip flask.
• Lost Kite Halyard - Kali - Harken stickers
• Cheeky port flyer award - Diomedes - North sails belt
• Finally getting out with 3 crew award - Victory - twine spools
• Losing the lead more than a few times award - Artemis - torch and key rings
• Dressed like a Ninja Award - Jeannie on Pintail - Buff
• OCS Award - Nemesis (again) - sailing caps
• Youngest crew award - Friday - 3 small Harken tee shirts
• Being picked on by Polyphemus - Halcyon - Mug
• Being picked on by Halcyon - Redoubtable - Port sticker and belt

Overall Results:

Pos	Boat Name	Sail No	Skipper	Sun	Mon	Tue	Fri	Fri	Sat	Sat	Pts
1st	Polyphemus	40	Mike Grice	1	1	1	1	3	‑4	4	11
2nd	Diomedes	67	Martyn Osborne	2	5	2	‑6	5	2	2	18
3rd	Artemis	21	Paul Scullion	5	2	(DNC)	3	6	3	1	20
4th	Kali	45	David Lippold	3	3	(DNC)	2	1	7	6	22
5th	Halcyon	25	Robert McPherson	4	7	(DNF)	5	4	1	RET	33
6th	Pintail	36	Richard Bown	(DNC)	4	DNC	7	2	5	3	33
7th	Kittywake	27	Martin Eddy	(DNC)	6	DNC	4	7	6	5	40
8th	Achilles	48	Richard Townshend	(DNC)	8	3	8	10	8	7	44
9th	Redoutable	32	Hereward Tresidder	(DNC)	TLE	DNC	9	8	9	9	56
10th	Friday	13	Rob West	(RET)	TLE	DNC	10	9	10	8	58
11th	Persphone	33	Guy Ashton	(DNC)	TLE	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	69