Salcombe Yacht Club Summer Series Race 5
by David Greening 20 Jul 2014 14:49 BST
19 July 2014
With an hour to go before the start of the SYC Summer Series Race 5, the harbour was flat calm, and the weather forecast did little to hint at any more wind, with thunder, lightning and hail adding to the predicted delights for the afternoon.
However the Salcombe micro-climate surprised once again, and Race Officer Malcolm Mackley reversed his decision to cancel the racing as a Force 3 sea breeze set in, whilst the clouds peeled away and the sun shone down in time for the first starts.
First away was the Junior Handicap fleet, and once again Evie Booth showed a clean pair of heels to be first home and take the handicap victory.
The conditions suited the Laser Radials in the Medium Handicap fleet, and Sam Lloyd led Kate Brooks home.
Peter Cook and Janet Exelby overcame having a premature start and having to return to behind the line, to pull out a one and a half minute lead on the RS400 of John and Annie Mclaren, followed home by the National 12 of Charlie and Helen Lloyd in the Fast Handicap fleet.
Fifteen Solos came to the line and were led away by Ed Stephens, Robin Hodges and Bill Jago, however Simon Dobson worked his way into a lead that he held to the finish gun.
By the time that the Yawls started the breeze was up, and the fleet made a great sight as it crossed the start line. Dan and Gail Bridger made the most of a routing error by Will Henderson and Jim Stone, with Andrew Wood and Stephen Page sailing an impressive race to bring their classic boat home in third place.
Junior Handicap results:
1st RS Tera Pro, 2146, Evie Booth
2nd Topper, 46706, George Alexander
Medium Handicap results:
1st Laser Radial, 176294, Sam Lloyd
2nd Laser Radial, 198304, Kate Brooks
3rd Laser, 173025, Nikki Barclay
Fast Handicap results:
1st Merlin Rocket, 3616, Peter Cook and Janet Exelby
2nd RS400, 1421, John and Annie McLaren
3rd National 12, 3534, Charlie and Helen Lloyd
Solo results:
1st 5313, Simon Dobson
2nd 5194, Ed Stephens
3rd 4813, Robin Hodges
Salcombe Yawl results:
1st 159, Dan and Gail Bridger
2nd 183, Will Henderson and Jim Stone
3rd 97, Andrew Wood and Stephen Page
www.salcombeyc.org.uk