27th Waller-Harris Two-Handed Triangle Race at Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club: An Overview

27th Waller-Harris Two-handed Triangle Race at the Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club

16-18 August 2024

Whilst it is true to say that sailing boats need a breeze, it is also true to say that there are times when it is best to stay at home.

This year has seen disruptions to the sailing programme, notably the rescheduling of the Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club’s annual Waller-Harris Two-handed Triangle Race, initially planned for early July. Fortunately, the event took place from Friday, 16th to Sunday, 18th August, taking the fleet to Granville on Friday, St Cast on Saturday, and returning home on Sunday.

Light airs met the nine boats at the 10 o’clock start on a misty and damp Day 1. The race committee decided to motor to the northeast Minquiers buoy in search of better wind conditions. Although conditions did not significantly improve, a line was set off the buoy, and racing commenced shortly after noon. The boats made steady progress, some flying spinnakers, until the wind calmed, and they encountered the north-going tide. Some opted to anchor and wait for a breeze, while others tried to make the most of the light winds or, in two cases, retired. Rhys Perkins’ Archambault A35, Abracadabra, claimed line honours in the combined Classes 1 and 2, but it was Robin Jenkins’ First 31.7, Jack Rabbit, which won the race on corrected time. Andy Ravenscroft’s Dragonfly 28, the trimaran Anderica, took line honours in Class 3 but was bested on time by Arthur Manning’s Starlight 35, Knight Star. After a heavy rain upon arrival, the fleet received a warm welcome in Granville.

Day 2 began brightly with a moderate north-westerly breeze promising a fast run westward to St Cast. The intended start line, off Granville marina, had a milling crowd of French boats with the same start time as the Jersey fleet giving way. The Jersey boats headed off to the Videcoq buoy, southeast of Chausey. Following the 8.30 starting signal, the boats quickly got away, some hoisting spinnakers, a challenging task for those sailing short-handed on a close reach. Abracadabra took line honours off St Cast just three hours later, but was once again outpaced by Jack Rabbit on time. Anderica, as before, finished first in Class 3 but was narrowly beaten by Knight Star. Nick Bailhache’s Moody 31, Fillipene, came in second, with James Wilding’s Oceanis 393, Divergence, doubling as the committee boat, finishing third. St Cast is well-known for its great dining options!

On Day 3, with moderate winds from the north-west, the fleet set off under grey skies and choppy seas for the return journey after a 9.50 start off the Les Bourdinots buoy, just north of St Cast. The sun appeared from the northwest Minquiers buoy, creating ideal conditions for sailing as boats adjusted their courses and hoisted spinnakers for the run to the Hinguette buoy and the final leg to finish off the East Rock buoy. This day belonged to Abracadabra, which finished thirty-eight minutes ahead of Jack Rabbit to claim both line honours and the race victory. Anderica thrived in the favorable conditions, finishing second to Knight Star on corrected time, while Tom Vallois & Luke Pallot’s Van de Stad 44, Rico, secured the third position.

The prize-giving ceremony took place at the RCIYC Clubhouse on Thursday, 29th August, attended by past Commodores Bill Harris and Rodney Waller, who congratulated the worthy winners and thanked all participants in this classic event. Mrs. Denise Waller kindly presented the place prizes.

Overall Results: