2009

The Sunbeam is a great yacht, amongst the greatest classic yachts in the world. At Regates Royales Cannes this autumn the Sunbeam was included in the above shortlist for Regates Royales Jury Special Prize; eventually runner up to the winner Moonbeam IV.

Photos taken from Dainty of each yacht on the shortlist. Click thumbnails to enlarge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2008

 

BECOME A HABIT

This was the fourth year that Dainty made the trip South to enjoy the great classic yacht regattas of Regattes Royales in Cannes and the Voiles de Saint-Tropez. In 2005 the file was called "Just This Once". The next year "Just This Once Again". Then "OK Once More". This year it was "Become a Habit".
The Sunbeam was then surprised to be honoured by the Yacht Club de France.

 

TAKING SUNBEAMS TO THE MEDITERRANEAN

Dainty is not taken down in a rush. First the boat is taken to Haines Boatyard for her Winter Maintenance, as to a beauty parlour and to make her look like new.
Time is allowed to enjoy the trip. September is for the vendange. Tasting and some wine buying in Hermitage has now become part of The Habit. It is only being polite to our hosts.

 

It may sound like taking coals to Newcastle. But Sunbeam Dainty, V1, the first Solent Sunbeam, built in 1923, is driven across France to race in the same regatta as Lulworth, which first joined Dainty in the Cowes Week of 1924. Cambria joined four years later.

The contrast in scale is amazing. The similarity in design is eye catchingly delightful.

We are fortunate enough to live in an era when we can enjoy the great classic yachts such as Bona Fide (1899), Tuiga (1909), Mariquita (1911), Jolie Brise (1913), Moonbeam (1914), Mariette (1915), Altair (1923), and the Big Class of Lulworth (1924), Cambria (1928), and J’s Shamrock V and Velsheda, all of which have been lovingly preserved by wise owners.

Restoration and rebuild projects contineue. Within a couple of years there will be no less than eight J Class yachts racing in the Mediterranean.

 

 

Peter Nicholson and Mike Hollis racing Dainty back from Antibes to Cannes. Phil Wilkinson, out of sight, was guest helm.

Photo by Roxy, from the 1914 Herreshoff Dolphin

 

Mariette from Dainty

TRAGIC ACCIDENT AT CANNES

Cannes was as welcoming and as delightful as always.
However, a cloud fell over the event following a tragic accident in the first race.
The sea was bumpy but the wind no more than 20 knots when Wilf Tolhurst quickly tacked his 8 Metre Safir to keep clear of the starboard tack Rowdy that had suddenly come into view behind a larger yacht; but not quick enough to prevent the latter's bowsprit taking away Safir's forestay, which led to the breaking and collapse of the mast, with the rig falling straight back on the yacht. The impact killed the most unfortunate owner/ helmsman. Three others were taken to hospital. Safir was abandoned, grounded on the rocks off St Honorat and sank.

The family, the competitors, the organisors, the investigators and the police all handled the aftermath very well. No one expects the lawyers or the safety fanatics to prevent next year's regatta from running as before.

Partridge, before the start of the first race in Cannes

MODERN, CONVENTIONAL SPINNAKER

It was interesting to see how a Sunbeam could cope with a spinnaker
much fuller than the one allowed at home.
The lower centre of gravity and the shorter spinnaker pole helped.

 

 

RACE FROM CANNES TO SAINT-TROPEZ

The race to Saint-Tropez on the Sunday, run by Yacht Club de France, was all to windward but in
a gentle Force 3 to 4.
At over 28 miles it is the longest race ever for Sunbeams, but took no more than five and a half hours this year.

 

 

 

 

AWARD FROM THE YACHT CLUB DE FRANCE

Yes, we do try to promote the Sunbeam Class during our visits to these great regattas, but mainly we are their for the fun, the spectacle and for the wonderful yachting friendships. So it was a great surprise that we found ourselves being called up at the prize giving to receive an oration describing how much those organising these great regattas appreciated the Sunbeam returning every year, competing in every race and displaying the 8 metre long classic Sunbeam, by far the smallest yach in the regattas, beside those many times the size. We felt it was a great honour to receive on behalf of the class. Quite overwhelming.

 

Dainty's owners receiving the award, " la tape de bouche du YCF", at Saint-Tropez from Patrice Brunet, Vice-President of Yacht Club de France, for the Sunbeam's contribution to classic yacht racing in the Mediterranean. They were then special guests of the officers of YCF at their Coupe D'Automne dinner.

 

PARTIES AND RACING IN THE "VOILES DE SAINT-TROPEZ"

The classic regattas may have long races, between 15 and 20 miles, but they never start before noon. There is plenty of time to recover from the previous night's party. The Sunbeam owner, crew and support team in 2008 comprised - in order of arrival - Peter Nicholson, Mike Hollis, Phil Wilkinson, Ian and Sue Kay, Sally Nicholson, Lesley Hollis, George and Barbara Brooks, Tony Glover, Judy Howland Jackson, Peter Godard, Bomber Holm and Ruth Kelly, Mike and Ann Harting and John and Gladys Slatter.

The first race in Saint-Tropez was in even less wind - so Dainty and her owner were an hour late for their own quayside soiree held before the Sardinarde barbecue. Nevertheless we gathered nearly 30 guests, including the locals who had helped bring the boats down and act as hosts.

The second race also suffered from a gradient / mountain wind being offset by a sea breeze. Then in came a Mistral...or was it really a Mistral, as these are meant to last 3 full days? For this one surprisingly dropped mid-day on the third, and the race committee were smart enough to give us a race. Just Mike and Peter on the little Sunbeam (Any other possible crew had gone for lunch out of town), having the last and the very best race of the season - as our photos show.

Lulworth sailing over Dainty

 

Crossing Mariette, near the end of the last race in Saint-Tropez

 

The Finish Boat, at end of the last race off Saint-Tropez.