When French sailors arrived in Fowey during the Sailtica race they were treated to the best of Cornish hospitality and the worst of its weather.
During Sunday, May 5 and Monday, May 6, 20 yachts and 120 Frenchmen and women arrived in Fowey having reached the half-way point of the bi-annual 500-mile Sailtica race from Pornichet, South Brittany.
The first to arrive after a 44-hour sail was the yacht, Canhabaque, whose crossing of the finish line was marked by the firing of a cannon.
Lizzie Morgan, of Royal Fowey Yacht Club, said: "The last time Fowey had a French invasion in such numbers was in the 15th century when they sacked the town and burnt down the church!
"This time, far from raising the chain to repel the raiders, we rolled out the red carpet for the race-weary crews and their support teams."
As part of their stay, the sailors, were treated to many of the delights the town has to offer.
Each night saw a party within Fowey, including over 200 people in attendance for the hog roast, walks around the stunning town and surrounding area were arranged, friendly Cornish croquet and Boules matches were played, local Troy sailing boats were tested and a civic reception was held to officially welcome the crews.
During the reception, the Mayor of Pornichet presented Fowey Mayor, John Berryman, with a replica of one of the French boats lost at Trafalgar.
The visit also saw the twinning of Fowey's library with the one in Pornichet. Children from Fowey Community College and Bodmin College put on a performance of, Hamlet, in French.
And then, as the day of departure dawned, the Cornish weather decided to deliver some seasonal gale force winds and driving rain, delaying the return leg by 24-hours.
The following day the race was back underway as the crews battled high winds and seas across the channel, through the Canal du Four, Raz de Seine and the Bay of Biscay to Pornichet and the finish line.
The eventual winner of the Sailtica Yacht race was a Sun Fast 3200, by the name of Hakuna Matata.
Mrs Morgan summed up the experience, saying: "Apart from a few hangovers, those of us living in Fowey are looking forward to their return in 2015."
