THE first of the PYRA Channel races took place over the Bank Holiday weekend, reports Laura Kerr.

The Poole-Alderney race got off to a good start with the 11 yachts taking part enjoying perfect conditions with a north-westerly blowing 9-17 knots giving a spinnaker run all the way which produced a fast passage time.

Close finishes kept the pressure on all the way to the line.

Sunday on Alderney saw it at its best for the race to Cherbourg with blue skies and seas with a gentle breeze maintaining enough to give white sail and spinnaker reaching all the way.

The tide closed in at Cap de le Hague producing lumpy conditions and shaking the wind out of the kites in a light breeze which fell short of the tidal rate.

Most boats hardened up with the white sails heading offshore where the breeze filled as they closed on Cherbourg.

Monday for the Cherbourg to Poole race saw light winds with most competitors playing the tide to achieve the most favourable course.

That unfortunately led many into a cyclonic trap off Cherbourg. Inevitably, retirement was the only option if they were to arrive back in Poole before closing time.

Resume was the exception reaching off to the west with the tide. The breeze held on and a new wind coming with the tide returning east saw her finish alone.

PYRA Poole-Alderney Class One results: 1 Resum (I Standbridge), 2 Adastra (S Briscoe), 3 Fixation. Class Two: 1 Mistress (C Blackburn and R Clewer), 2 Effussion (J Welch), 3 Tigerlily (G Baxter).

Class A: 1 Songline (M Smith).

Alderney-Cherbourg Class One: 1 Fixation, 2 Adastra, 3 Elixir (P Clark). Class Two: 1 Mistress, 2 Tigerlily, 3 Athene (N Treble).

Cherbourg-Poole: Resum (I Standbridge) (only finisher).

PYRA Peveril Ledge Class One: 1 Adastra, 2 Elixir, 3 Resum. Class Two: 1 Neigh Chance (J Wood), 2 Leaway II (H Lea), 3 Happy (J McQuillan).

Class Three: 1 Piccolo (J Putt). Class A: 1 Freetime (E Whapples).