The group that organise Falmouth’s annual festival of sailing are set to make some radical changes for this year’s event set to take place from August 11-17.

The Port of Falmouth Sailing Association (PoFSA) which comprises the six Falmouth area sailing and yacht clubs, has agreed to change the name of Falmouth Week Regatta to Falmouth Sailing Week.

Replacing the usual week-long single racing series, there will be three daily regattas from Sunday to Tuesday of the week, plus the ever popular Wednesday Champagne race.

This will be followed by an intensive three day mini series to round off the week from the Thursday to Saturday.

The new format applies to the Bay Fleet only, which comprises Firebirds catamarans, IRC classes, YTC (South West Yacht Time Correction) yachts and Marieholms.

The changes follow an extensive consultation by racing organisers PoFSA, during the autumn.

Many participants raised concerns that the existing, week-long series presented real difficulty for boats that relied on larger crews taking a week off work or away from their families.

Chair of PoFSA, Nigel Sharp said of the new format: “This will allow those who still want to race for seven days to do so, and also cater for those who want a shorter “week” and not lose out in the series.”

PoFSA has had a busy time since sailing stopped in the autumn.

During the group’s annual meeting, Charlie Choak stepped down as chairman, and received warm thanks from the whole committee for his hard work.

Incoming chairman Nigel Sharp presented a gift to Charlie, secretary Gaye Slater welcomes Nigel saying: “I am sure that we shall benefit from the same energy and leadership that he has used as a past St Mawes SC Commodore and as Race Officer in Carrick fleet.”

During the meeting, Neil Andrew, who chairs the Race Management Group for Falmouth Week, thanked the "strong and experienced group of volunteers who make the week so successful".

Neil encouraged new volunteers to come forward to support this year’s event.

Also at the first Falmouth Sailing Week committee meeting for 2019, Dina Croft, of Roseland Youth Sailing Trust, extended her thanks to Nigel for donations made by PoFSA and 2018 competitors in Falmouth Week.

PoFSA supports four Youth Sailing Trusts in the area.

More detail can be found at www.pofsa.co.uk