Sharpe's Camel Week at Rock

Racing at Rock Sailing & Water Ski Club's Camel Week © George Dale

There was a great turnout for Rock Sailing & Water Ski Club's Sharpe's Camel Week: 59 dinghies, 10 catamarans and 32 Shrimpers took part, one of the best fleets in recent years. For most of the week the weather was kind to the race officers, the two exceptions being one day when the wind speed was up to 27 mph and another when calm weather challenged the skills of the competitors. Race Officer Lynne Hough with her team set courses for the dinghies in the harbour and off Daymer Bay, while the Shrimpers raced further out at sea.

Day one, the Brea Buoy Cup for dinghies saw the beginning of what was to become an epic battle between Rob and Ruth Lennox in their RS400 and Mike Lyons in his Blaze 'Twist and Shout' for supremacy in the week. The Lennoxs were first in this race while Lyons was second. For the cats Ed Chisholm's and Jums Greaves, long familiarity with the waters of the Camel stood them in good stead and their Hobie 16s finished first and second respectively in the Dinham Trophy race. Out at sea, Mark Peek and Graeme Statton in 'Haggis' were first over the line to win the first of two races for the Shrimper Eclipse Trophy followed by Peter and Sam Thomas in 'Gusto'.

On Day 2, the dinghy fleet raced for the first of two pursuits, the Renovation Trophy. The winner was Georgina Williams' Dart 18 crewed by Peter Williams. For the Shrimpers, who were encountering choppy seas further out, Chris and Annie Creak in 'Bonney were first over the line, taking the second of the two races for the Eclipse Trophy, followed by Ian McDonald-Smith and Sarah Harris in 'African Jacana'.

The race for the dinghy fleet's Porthilly Cup on Day 3 saw Mike Lyons take first place followed by Graham and Ben Scroggie. Third place was taken by the Lennoxs. Jums Greaves with Henry Greville-Collins in 'Smoking Bimbo', took home the Rush High Flyers trophy for the cats, while Oliver and Alan Rose took second place. These were conditions that seemed to favour the Hobie 16s in the fleet, which dominated throughout the week. The Shrimper Red Buoy Cup was won by 'African Jacana', with 'Haggis' taking second place.

On Day 4 Mike Lyons was again in first place to take the Gentle Jane Cup with the Lennoxs in close contention in second place. In the cat fleet Jums Greaves was beaten into second place by Georgina and Peter Williams in their Dart 18 'Pink Panther'. Out at sea Chris and Annie Creak in 'Bonney were first over the line followed by Angus and Arthur Cook in 'Majic', showing an excellent turn of speed and ability to handle the bumpy conditions.

The penultimate day of the series for the dinghy and cat fleets is always given to the Commodore's Cup, another pursuit. Mike Lyons had to settle for second place, having been beaten by Nigel Deane in his Laser. For the Shrimpers, Mark Peek and Graeme Statton in 'Haggis' took the Cibie Cup beating Rob Harris and Rob Leaning in 'Mallard' into second place.

The final day's racing for the dinghy fleet was for the Rock Trophy, won once again by Mike Lyons with Rob and Ruth Lennox's RS400 second. Jums Greaves again took first place and the Camel Silver Salver with 'Pink Panther' a close second. Rod Offer with Paul Harris took the Shrimper St Minver Cup with 'Bonney' second.

Overall winners for the week were Mike Lyons in his Blaze 'Twist and Shout', who took home the Rock Trophy for the dinghies, Jums Greaves with Henry Greville-Collins in 'Smoking Bimbo' for the cats and Mark Peek with Graeme Statton in 'Haggis' for the Shrimpers.

This was one of the best Camel Weeks in recent years with good sized fleets enjoying conditions that were never extreme. The Camel Week Barbecue and the ever-popular Family Quiz Night kept Steward Richard Smith and Chef Henry Waterworth and their teams busy.

Full results can be found here.