Sailors & Revellers Unite for Falmouth Week
Tens of thousands of visitors flocked to Falmouth in mid August for a week-long festival of sailing, arts and entertainment.
Falmouth Week is a firm favourite on Cornwall’s sport and tourism calendars, having grown into one of the largest sailing regatta’s in the South West.
On the water action featured dinghies, keelboats, multihulls and traditional yachts, including the historic Falmouth Working Boat, racing over seven days of competition.
The beautiful waters of Falmouth Bay and the Carrick Roads are perfect sailing waters. This is where Olympic champion and America Cup hero Ben Ainslie first learnt to sail and where numerous national sailing championships are held. Falmouth was also the home coming port for round-the-world yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur.
Falmouth Week is a celebration of this sailing heritage. And organisers have hailed the event a resounding success, pumping millions into the local economy.
The Red Arrows pulled in the largest crowds, with 35,000 flocking to the town, enjoying a day of activities in the lead-up to the aerial acrobatic display.
The music line-up included Toyah Willcox and East 17 and revellers did not disappoint at the themed events, most of them wearing elaborate and colourful fancy dress costumes.
Other sporting action during Falmouth Week included the Animal mountain bike display team as part of the Animal WD-40 Action Sports Tour.
Richard Gates, town manager and chairman of the Falmouth Week Shoreside Committee said: “We are really pleased with the huge success of the week. It all works well due to the co-operation and hard work behind the scenes both on and off the water.”