Yachtsmen toasted with free breakfast

THE 20th Morlaix Yacht Club Telegramme Tresco Trophy was celebrated with a Guernsey biscuits breakfast yesterday morning. The triangular yacht race involves yachtsmen from Dieppe through to La Rochelle. It runs from Morlaix, Brittany, to St Peter Port and on to Perros Guirec. The Tourist Board provided Guernsey biscuits and butter for each of them. 'We are especially pleased to welcome this event to the island in its 20th year,' said board policy and development manager Peter Falla. 'As a flagship event for Nautical Guernsey, there is no doubt that significant business is generated in St Peter Port as a direct result of the yachtsmen's visit.' A record 143 boats entered this year, with about 850 visiting yachtsmen. They arrived on Thursday and left early this morning. Vice-commodore Jean-Luc Trousseil first visited 27 years ago and decided to organise a race to the island from Morlaix and back. 'At first, only about 10 or 15 people were involved, but it's been increasing ever since,' he said. 'We then received support from Telegramme and changed it to three legs. 'One of the most important things about the race is to be in Guernsey; it's lovely here. Like every time I come to Guernsey, I'm going to Candie Gardens. The season is perfect for the flowers. 'I'm going to watch the sight of Herm and Sark, which is fantastic.' The board officially welcomed the yachtsmen at a vin d'honneur at Beau Sejour last night. 'We're giving a special gift of a framed photo of St Peter Port to the club president, Yvon Quillec,' said Mr Falla.