We won the RCIYC Cruising Trophy!

Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club

My father, Derek du Pré, a Jerseyman and keen sailor had been a member of the RCIYC for many years.

Following in his footsteps, it was de rigueur to join which we did soon after purchasing our first Play d’eau, a Princess V39.

Shall we? Shan’t we?

Soon after returning from our brilliant cruise of the west coast of France last year, the RCIYC asked members to submit their 2013 cruising logs to see who might be awarded their Cruising Trophy.

‘Come on,’ said Lin, ‘it’s worth a try.’

I did. We emailed the RCIYC Secretary.

We won!

And we won! It was so exciting. But what exactly had we won?

At the club, Stuart Crisp, Commodore, presented us with the Trophy. A 9″ intricate ivory carving of a Chinese skiff. It’s so detailed, so beautiful.

I couldn’t help but think of Dad, who, in his 21′ sailing boat, Alouette, would sail the islands, the French coast, and race against the Jersey RNLI in foul weather.

I wondered what his cruising logs would have looked like?

Piers and Lin
from the chart table of
Play d’eau
Fleming 55