Ajax 2003 Season
The year 2003 will be remembered as one of the best, weather and
sailing wise, for a number of years, with the good weather continuing almost to
the end of the year. But John Bryant, our race officer, tells me
that Ajax turnouts for club racing have shown a small decline. We need to
rectify this in 2004.
The season started with the May Day Cup races, won by Bob Edwards sailing
Nemesis, thus winning the Townshend Salver. The first village regatta,
Point and Penpol, was won by Ajax followed by Troy and Nemesis. Loe Beach
result was Nemesis, Troy and Aquila. Mylor was won by Nemesis. Portscatho
and Flushing were blown off. St Mawes Regatta, for the Martin Bowl, was
won by Aquila, second Troy, third Sandpiper with this being one of the earlier
occasions when Glenn failed to cover! (more later). September saw the
Victory Cup races won by Nemesis and the Philleigh Pot won by Sandpiper.
The Club points racing was dominated by Bob Edwards sailing Nemesis. He won the
Monday evening Summer and September series with Sandpiper and Troy sharing the
minor placings. The Thursday evening Summer series was also won by
Nemesis with Aquila second and Ajax third. The September series result was Troy,
Sandpiper and Aquila.
July saw the Southwest Championships held alongside the Marieholms. One
boat Vim, number 46, came from the East Coast fleet. After the two races
on the Friday Athena had posted two wins. Equal second, to my amazement,
were Troy and Sandpiper. On Saturday the fleet was rafted to the
Committee boat for most of the day. One race was attempted, but the tide
was stronger than the wind and the day was abandoned. This meant that two
more races needed to be sailed to constitute a series which was achieved by
having two short races one after the other, on Sunday. After the first
race, Sandpiper, by winning, moved up to second position overall. Athena
stayed first and Troy third, leaving it wide open. In the final race Glenn,
with the bit firmly between his teeth, set off on a mission and come the final
beat was comfortably in the lead from Nemesis but ignored the basic rule of
racing, as expounded by D.M. on numerous occasions with arms flailing,
"Cover, cover, cover"! Bob went right, Glenn let him go and
threw away a Championship which was there for the taking which meant Athena
won! Sandpiper was second and Nemesis third.
Falmouth Week is the highlight of the sailing year when the up-river boats slip
their moorings and appear in the Roads. Traditionally the Ajax Falmouth
Week starts one day earlier and finishes one day later than the officially
organised POSFA week. So, on Saturday 9th of August, 12 Ajaxes with crews
made up of family, friends and even pets, set sail from St Mawes on a voyage to
Mylor for our fun day out - the Angela Beaman Race. For a change the weather
was very kind and about 40 of us enjoyed cream teas at The Ganges. Mike
Conlin and his team again proved to be the brains of the fleet by winning the
quiz. The theme of the event was "The Three Bears", and a
special prize went to someone, who claimed to be David Matthewson in disguise,
for the most realistic Goldilocks impersonation!! Thanks are due again to
Mike and Jan Beaman for organising an excellent day out. At the other end of
the week we always include the Falmouth Town Regatta in our week's racing which
means our results are based on seven and not six races. Pegasus came down
from the East Coast to contest the week. Sitting here writing this it is
difficult to remember details as Troy was so far back this year, I saw very
little of the action up front. Athena came first with five wins, Nemesis
second and Pegasus third, both having just one win. The surprise of the
week, coming fifth in her first Fal Week, was Aquila. Well done
Girls! Claire, Lindsey and Kim were presented with the Norman Smith
Trophy at the Club AGM in August for, as the Rear Commodore Sailing said,
"Setting the Ajax Fleet on fire!"
There have been some ownership changes. Vim, number 46, has been bought
by Daniel Duff and Osprey, number 37, was purchased by Peter Little and John
Andrew. We are looking forward to welcoming Elaine and Paul Davy sailing
Atalanta, number 59, back on the water after a few years drying out in a barn.
This will add some weight to the Class.
In July, Athena and Aquila represented the Southwest Class at the National
Championships in Dovercourt Bay. The whole event was a huge success,
perfect weather, very hot with ample wind. Athena, but for a
disqualification, would probably have won the event. I am sure that the
2004 Nationals to be held in Falmouth Bay will be very keenly contested.
Five boats are expected from Harwich and some of them are planning to stay for
Falmouth Week.
I would very much like to think that turnouts for Club racing in 2004 will show
an improvement on 2003 and I apologise for any inaccuracies in the results I
have given. I have difficulty remembering what happened last week let
alone six months ago!
Good sailing to you all in 2004.
Cedric Thomas
Captain SW Ajax Fleet