Fowey Royal Regatta 2024
by Fowey Royal Regatta 27 Aug 00:47 NZST
17–23 August 2024
Royal Fowey Regatta is a visual feast. Organised jointly between the Royal Fowey Yacht Club and Fowey Gallants, around a hundred boats were welcomed to its annual August regatta.
Almost thirty vibrantly coloured Fowey River dinghies signalled the start of the event as they crossed the starting line off Albert Quay. The Fowey River class is based on the Yachting World 15' knockabout dinghy designed by Reg Freeman in the late 40s to encourage people to build their own boats. The fleet has seen a recent resurgence with new additions from local boatbuilder Marcus Lewis.
Host to J Class yacht racing back in the 1930s, the stunning south Cornish town of Fowey has the beauty of both in-harbour and bay racing. Also competing were the Troy day boat fleet. Designed in the 1920s by the late Archie Watty specifically for racing in the harbour and named after Sir Arthur Quiller Couch's Fowey-based 'Troy Town' novels, these 18ft wooden day boats sport tall rigs intended to harness the breeze from the surrounding emerald hills.
The inshore fleets of Dinghies and the local classes of Troys and Fowey River boats had some highly competitive racing in strong and gusty winds. The Troy class was won by Alan Harris and the Fowey River class won by Andy and Suzy Matthews.
The sailing event began with feeder races from both Plymouth and Falmouth. A Cruising division enjoyed windward/leewards and round the cans races out on the bay from Tuesday to Friday. Racing on the Friday was sponsored by St.Austell Brewery for the Tribute Trophy which this year was won by Robert Fletcher in a Beneteau 34.7, "I Say Ding Dong" in the IRC Class. Harry Houlding won the YTC Class in his Sadler 25 "Dakota".
Eleven Falmouth working boats added to the glamour of the regatta. Living relics from a bygone age these powerful gaff-rigged Cutters made an impressive sight tacking in close quarters past the sailing clubs and quays lined with spectators. This year's spectacular in-Harbour race on the Wednesday afternoon was won by Nellie May.
The highlight of the week was the junior race with 29 youngsters in 20 boats. For some of these it was their first ever sailing race and its great to know that the future of sailing is in safe hands.
As well as a sailing races there was a full program of events on the shore to keep non sailors amused including a two hundred strong Classic Car parade through the winding streets. Both of Fowey's sailing clubs the Royal Fowey Yacht Club and Fowey Gallants worked closely together to host the Regatta and would like to thank all the volunteers who make the week possible. The race committees did extremely well in very difficult conditions to get so much racing in. Thanks also to the competitors and look forward to seeing you next year, where once again you can be assured of a warm Fowey welcome. Save the date: 16th to 22nd August 2025
Full results can be seen at www.foweysailing.org/page/regatta-2024-entries-results