LOCAL boats are proving strong contenders in the Swan Rendezvous. On the first day of racing both the morning and afternoon’s smaller class races were won by Guernsey crews, in steady winds.

Gordon Wilson’s boat Tomahawk won the first race and then picked up a third, while John Falla’s Banjaard, had the reverse results. The other local crew on Lady of Aquitaine came fifth and sixth.

Race officer Bob Milner was pleased with the day’s conditions, although the course was set slightly shorter because of the weather.

‘It was wet and miserable, but the wind was good and steady and people generally don’t mind if it’s raining, as long as there is wind,’ he said.

‘It averaged between 14 and 16 knots and there was some close racing. It was quite interesting at one point, when there was a sudden change in direction and we had to do a quick alteration to the course, but it all adds to the excitement.’

The bigger class of boats raced double the distance, with Menenes and Noonmark both achieving a first.

There was confusion for a rival boat which hadn’t noticed the postponement flags – one buoy had started to drift down tide and had to be relayed. It ended up starting a quarter-of-an-hour behind the rest of the fleet.

The course yesterday was a longer, 24-mile coastal race. The yachts started inside the Little Russel, went round Lower Heads and sailed clockwise around Sark.

‘It was a clean start, although a few were a bit boat line shy, but the fleet spread out over the course,’ said Milner.

Again Guernsey boats fared well, with Banjaard coming second behind El Tiburon.

‘We are very pleased with the results,’ said the boat’s owner John Falla.

‘Last year was our first year of racing and this year we have a home advantage. But even when you are sailing in your back yard every time I go round the back of Sark, I learn something new about the tides.

‘It has been great to see so many Swans here and everyone is enjoying the sailing.’

The winner of the bigger class coastal race was Desperado.

‘It is the first time I have been here for a regatta and it has been wonderful,’ said skipper David Bongers.

‘We had a fourth, second and now first, so we’re obviously getting to know things better.’

Two races are planned for today.