Ancasta Champagne Race

Falmouth Sailing Week includes the long-standing tradition of a long coastal race on Wednesday for offshore yachts (Bay Fleet), with prize bottles of champagne.

This tradition commemorates an occasion back in 1951
when friends Lord Shawcross and H. A. J. (Jack) Silley, owner of Falmouth Docks, were competing in a yacht race off Falmouth. The spirit of competition was so keen that the friends broke away from the main race in which they were taking part, in order informally to settle the result between themselves. The loser, in good grace, presented a case of champagne to the winner, and so the legend of the Champagne Race was born.

In 1955 Philip Fox, the then chairman of GC Fox & Co, started the first official Champagne Race, to be sailed under the auspices of the Falmouth Town Regatta Committee, by donating a case of champagne as first prize.

For the Bay Fleet the Champagne Race usually attracts a strong daily entry by boats drawn by the challenge
 that the race presents. Long courses, in keeping with the tradition of the event, are set to suit the conditions and the boats taking part.

The course area encompasses the whole Bay and extends up the coast to Gull Rock and beyond. The finish is usually to the west side of Pendennis headland.

Ineligible boats will race shorter courses for champagne prizes.

The Champagne and cups will be presented at the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club on either Wednesday or Thursday depending on whether there is a flying display on the Wednesday.

TO RECEIVE THEIR CHAMPAGNE, WINNERS MUST ATTEND THIS PRIZEGIVING