West Country Classic Series 2025
by Don Garman 28 Nov 00:10 AEDT
13-15 June 2025
Ayesha (the winner of the West Country Classics Series) racing in Falmouth Classics 2025 © Jan Pentreath
Classic yacht skippers and crews, whose race achievements had scored points in The West Country Classic Series, first established in 2021, gathered at Saltash Sailing Club in November for the annual prize-giving sponsored by Hattiers Rum. Two traditionally built, pre 1940s yachts, topped the prize list.
The winner this year was "Ayesha" a 1922 gaff cutter built at the Aldous yard in Brightlingsea, Essex, for the yard's owner. Currently owned by Richard Bond, she gained two first places in class at Fowey and the Looe Lugger Classics and a second at Falmouth.
In second place was "Mat Ali", built to a Harrison Butler design in Malaysia in 1935 and gaining points at Dartmouth, Falmouth and Fowey. In third place was "Sarabande of Dart", a Nicholson 43, and in fourth place "L Aquarelle", a Contessa 32.
There was a further increase in the number of vessels gaining points in two or more races at the four classic events - Dartmouth, Falmouth, Fowey and Looe Lugger Classics. For the first time four vessels scored points in races in three events.
The addition of Looe Lugger Classics for the first time in 2025 provided two luggers with sufficient points to feature. Barnabas, a St Ives lugger built in 1881 and the oldest vessel to score points in the series so far, was placed ninth and Ocean Pearl, a 1933 Fifie based at Chichester, and the furthest travelled, was placed twelfth.
The four winners were presented with inscribed trophies and a bottle of Hattiers Rum by Philip Everett-Lyons. The other twelve vessels received inscribed glassware as a memento of their participation.
The dates for the four classic events that comprise the West Country Classic Series are:
- Falmouth 11th-14th June
- Dartmouth 7th-9th July
- Fowey 27th-30th July
- Looe Lugger Classics 31st July - 2nd August