2009 Salcombe Keel Boat Regatta - (June 2009)

The Salcombe Festival, held over the weekend of the 12th to the 14th of June, incorporated a classic keel boat regatta. The original idea was to get the 3 known remaining Salcombe 'A' class yachts sailing together with a handful of other locally based keelboats. Unfortunately Atalanta did not make the regatta this time but the hope is that the event will be repeated in 2010 and then we will hopefully see all three 'A' class yachts - Joan (A1), Wiluna II (A4) and Atalanta (A14) matched up. Wiluna II took first place overall, on corrected time. The event looks set to grow.

See Wiluna's listing under the Salcombe 'A' class heading for more photos of her racing at the regatta.

Salcombe Regatta. Photo kindly supplied by Kathy Mansfield.

For more photos of the event see www.kathymansfieldphotos.com

The newspaper write up below shows Andrew Johnson and Peter Stratton, co-owners of the Morgan Giles built Wiluna II, receiving a cup and a half model of Wiluna II from Keith Musto.

"SAILING enthusiasts gathered at Cliff House on Sunday June 14 for the Salcombe Festival five race regatta and prize giving.

In the first race, which was supervised by race officer Tim Street, Salcombe Festival's On the Water representative Sue Alsop chased up the owners of including two magnificently restored A class yachts, Wyluna and Joan.

In mist on Friday and Saturday the yachts had some close racing, and in the evenings some convivial shore based entertainment as part of the Festival.

Amongst the fantastic specimens of yachts were the beautiful 1937 Swedish five meter vessel, owned by The Rear Commodore of British Classic Yacht Club, Intombi, the 1934 William Fife design, and Salcombe's based wooden Dragon HKG6 Wanderer, which was built for the Mexico Olympics in 1968.

Sailing company Cremyll Sailing, sent along two 22 square meter yachts, Uffa Fox's 1930 K1 Vigilant, and U5 Patriot to take part.

The smallest boat to attend was Miss Winifred, an exact replica of Nathaniel Herresshoff's gaff-rigged Skimmer built in Rhode Island in 1893.

After the Parade of Sail on Sunday one last glorious race was held in bright sunshine in the Estuary which made magnificent spectator sport from the shore.

The event was generously sponsored by Musto Outdoor Clothing, with ex Olympic helmsman Keith Musto himself presenting the trophies on Sunday afternoon. The Musto Performance Trophy went to Dave Gibbens for racing Intombi so gallantly after waiting over 50 years to do so.

A4 Wiluna, skippered by Peter Stratton and Andrew Johnson took first place overall on corrected time, with Mark Dowie's Dragon second, and U5 Patriot third. Cornelius Van Rijckvorsel's S11 Sensa, the brainchild of the whole regatta, was awarded the Concorde D'Elegance trophy donated by Denise Coffey. Prizes were also awarded for the Bang and Go Back Race, and the 100 minute Pursuit Race for the Chris Millward Trophy.

David Cohen, Salcombe Regatta Chairman said in a speech: 'On behalf of everyone, we would like to thank everyone who came to celebrate Salcombe.'

Dates are already being discussed for a Classic Regatta next June, and more pre 1968 wooden keelboats will be very welcome."

Newspaper extract kindly supplied by The Kingsbridge and Salcombe Gazette.

Keith Musto, Andrew Johnson, Peter Stratton Photo supplied by Andy Shorten

In 2013 Wiluna was acquired by Tom and Mark Sater after refurbishment at Lincombe Boat Yard who continue to maintain her.  Wiluna is now moored in Salcombe.