A LOCAL boat has won the smaller class of yachts in the Swan Rendezvous. Banjaard, owned by John Falla and crewed by a local team, had the same points as UK-based boat El Tiburon after the final day’s racing, but came ahead on splitting rules.

‘There has been very friendly rivalry on the water and it all hinged on the last race,’ said Falla.

‘El Tiburon has sailed well all week, but we had some lucky breaks on the first day. It has been a moral draw on the water.’

‘It has been a great week and excellent racing and although a lot of our crew are new, they put in a great effort to pull in the results we have,’ added El Tiburon crewmember Andrew Chauvel, who grew up in the island.

‘Guernsey is a great place to stage sailing events like this.’

Another local boat, Tomahawk, came third.

‘The boat is 25 years old and it is the first Swan regatta we have attended, so it is a great result,’ said owner Gordon Wilson.

‘The conditions were more difficult on Monday, but the stronger winds suited us with a crew of 12 on board and we picked up a first.

‘There has been some great team spirit on board and we’ve also had a lot of fun with the other crews, too.

One highlight of the entertainment was the barbecue in Herm for 251 people and I know people really enjoyed the sunshine and beauty of the island and food and drink laid on.’

The races varied between Olympic, windward/leeward, round the cans and castle course and all started in the Little Russel.

Wind conditions dropped during the week, benefiting the lighter yachts, and one race on Wednesday afternoon was abandoned.

‘We are delighted with the outcome,’ said organising committee chairman Martin Ozard.

‘The weather has been a bit light, but we had some great wind at the beginning of the week and we lost only one race.

‘Perhaps it would have been nice to have a few more boats but 18 is enough to make a good regatta, split between two classes.’

In class A, UK-boat McFly was always in the top half of the fleet and came first overall, followed by Menenes and Piper.

‘We had a great team on board and everyone does their bit well,’ said McFly owner Tony Mack.

‘It was our first time here but it certainly won’t be our last.’

The other Guernsey boats, Bastet and Lady of Aquitaine, came 10th and eighth respectively.