Jersey Electricity Inter Parish Around the Island Race

The inaugural Jersey Electricity Inter Parish Around the Island Race was held on Sunday with yachts crewed by members of their Parish.

The race started in a force 3-4 north easterly breeze and the yachts rounded the Demi de Pas light house on the way to the Violet Buoy off La Rocque. In Class1, the yachts that stayed further north did best. Abracadabra representing Trinity was the first to reach the buoy closely followed by Grace [St Helier] and Erica [St Ouen]. In Class 2, 2Farr [St Ouen] again taking a more northerly route came out ahead.

There was then a fast reach up the east coast to St Catherine's but on rounding the breakwater on the way to Rozel the wind died almost completely. In the leading group Erica managed to take the lead by staying further offshore whilst in Class 2 Tom Bombadil [St Saviour] did well going inshore.

The sail along the north coast was very slow in the light airs but once the yachts rounded Grosnez the wind increased for a quick reach down to Corbiere and a beat along the south coast. Here the tide was running against the boats and it now paid to keep inshore to keep out of the strongest current.

Erica just managed to keep ahead of Abracadabra and take line honours but when the handicaps were worked out it was a different story with 2Farr skippered by Jeff Speller one of the slower Class 2 boats winning overall from Erica second and Tom Bombadil in third place.

In the evening there was a reception and prize giving at St Helier Yacht Club with the splendid new trophy awarded to St Ouen.