If ever Falmouth lived up to its reputation for varied racing conditions it was at the weekend when Twenty J/24s assembled for the Tribute Southern Area Championships.

They were met on Saturday with WSW winds of Force 6 gusting 7, and after testing the waters of Falmouth Bay, the Royal Cornwall YC race committee (much to the relief of most competitors) opted for racing in the comparative shelter of Carrick Roads, despite the potential problem of the arrival of a large cable ship in the early afternoon to anchor in the Roads.

Skilfully setting the first course on a beat from Waterloo to a windward mark off the docks, the race officer (Roger Hollingsworth) achieved a cracking race which finished in time to move the fleet up the Roads before the arrival. Won by Hitch-Hiker (David Ellis) from Peggy (Jon Powell) with Serco Defence (Alistair Clarke) third, it set the scene for a very competitive weekend's racing.

With the wind veering to due west, the course for the second race was set up between St Just and Mylo and with the wind easing, it still produced an exciting finish, with Serco Defence showing the skill that would keep them in the running for the honours until the last race.

Peggy was second with Stouch (Stuart Jardine) third. The eventual overall winner Roger Rabbit (Gavin Watson), did not have a happy day on Saturday, with a fourth and seventh place, but shone on Sunday and displayed some brilliant helmsmanship on Monday to clinch the top prize.

Full report in this week's issue.