Jumbo racing is set to become a new spectator sport at St Ives, where this year's first competition took place in sparkling weather and fair winds.

Organised by St Ives Jumbo Association, the aim is to generate interest in the elegant Victorian fishing boats. The debut race also acted as a successful experiment in encouraging local people and visitors to watch traditional seamanship in action.

Jumbos were first registered in St Ives 1885 but unlike the larger and more successful luggers, the fishery declined quickly and by the 1920s most had been broken up.

Boatbuilder Jonny Nance, who reintroduced the vessels to the port with his jumbos Celeste and William Paynter, explained that the first race of the season began in a novel way, with the two competing vessels lying peacefully at their moorings within the harbour and offering an excellent view from either pier head.

"On the 'gun', which announced the start of the race, the jumbos were hauled ahead on their moorings, before being cast off as the crews hauled their sails aloft," he said. "For future events during the summer spectators will be left in no doubt that a race is under way because they will be announced by a loud maroon salvo let loose from the end the West Pier, accompanied by a cloud of smoke and gulls.

"Now that the RNLI no longer use maroons, coxswain Tommy Cocking assures us that there is no danger of launching the lifeboat instead."

Although the wind was light as the jumbos ran out towards the first mark, there was enough breeze outside the harbour to provide a lively beat to the windward mark. Celeste quickly took the lead and despite dipping the lug in record time as her crew tacked, William Paynter – named after the renowned 19th century St Ives boat builder who designed her – was unable to catch up. Celeste crossed a finish line between the piers with a comfortable lead.

Jonny, who set up St Ives Jumbo Association, researched and built both Celeste and William Paynter. Born and raised in St Ives, his family spans the maritime, artistic and cultural heritage of the port. His grandfather was the maritime historian Robert Morton Nance, Grand Bard of the Cornish Gorsedh, whose family owned several schooners. His maternal grandfather was the renowned potter Bernard Leach.

"This new approach to racing has already aroused much interest in the town and the association hopes this will lead to more jumbos being commissioned," added Jonny.

More races are planned for the coming weeks, when sailing hero Pete Goss is expected to take part. For more details or to take part call Jill Block on 01736-783657 or visit www.stivesjumbo.com