Salcombe Yacht Club Autumn Series Race 1

Courtesy of a high pressure system continuing to hold sway over the UK, we were blessed with a decent 11 knot easterly but, a ripping ebb tide at the 14:00 start of Autumn race one, at Salcombe Yacht club. In general, the breeze was sufficient to stem the tide, though the price for any misjudgement would, as ever, be high.

But as the late Alan Clark remarked: "Anything can happen in Backgammon" and this so holds true for Salcombe sailing.

From the race hut hung the red numbers which dictated a beat from the line to Gerston, mark 7 up at Kingsbridge, a loop round 5, Crossways and back to 7. Thence to Blackstone and a final loop to mark 3 and then a hook off Millbay mark 2 and final beat to finish: quite a lot of reaching and close tacking, in other words.

The Junior handicap was represented solely by Martin and Tom Ley. This jump in the series should be clocked by you other juniors. Juniors: your club needs, you. Generally this fleet is very well supported so we have to assume there was some other more pressing matter causing this lower than usual turnout.

Lasers too were a bit light being represented by upcoming rock star Peter Ballantine and Nicky Dobson, who capsized quite a bit.

Salcombe is, effectively Solo Massive, and has long been the home of some fiercely fought Solo action. Jack Holt who designed the Solo in 1956 could not have foreseen how his little boat has developed. Much of the reason for this is its wide appeal and simplicity. It carries weight well too. We know this, for Chris Cleaves, rejoicing in the apt soubriquet "Chubby" made a decent start against the outgoing tide on the East Portlemouth side. He won this, out of a sixteen boat fleet. He tacked up this shore while most of the remaining fleet cracked off to the Salcombe side, hoping to pick up the Easterly lift coming out of Yalton.

Chubby had practiced his move, pre-start and knew what he was doing. Besides, he has been sailing for about sixty years anyway, so is reasonably handy. He it was, who first made it round Snapes followed by somewhat lighter Simon Dobson, himself no slouch round the course. Simon "Yotter" Yates followed by Ed Stephens and balance of the fleet stretching out behind.

The Bag in Salcombe is always a light wind gate and this day proved no exception. The leading four managed it best and the fleet dutifully followed all helms' faces locked in concentration. At the gun, Chubby, Simon, Yotter and Edmund Blackadder. Chubby was able to take in the wildlife, a seal, such was his commanding lead. Harry Savell, was the best of the rest.

Like the Solo class, the Merlin Rocket fleet loves Salcombe but it is a shame there are comparatively few local boats. Cheap and simple, the Merlin is probably not. But this weekend we had four Merlins out plus, three National Twelves, making a decent race of it.

Peter and Janet Cook, sailing Muppet Show, emulated Chubby. As did Tim Fells, guested by Charlie Peacock as crew being a maiden sail for him, in a Merlin. Peacock has however, long provenance in Twelves so could hardly be a novice; anyway, how hard can it be? The front three Merlins battled to the Bag when, Muppet Show took a higher line, at Crossways looking for pressure in this notorious graveyard of hopes. This is bold as, it is also entails heading into slightly stronger tide. But, fortune favours the brave; with one gust Muppet Show was gone and up at Gerston with a 400 yard lead.

Meantime Keri Harris crewed by Gilli, hung onto the coat tails of the Merlin Fleet showing very decent pace on the reaches. These fancy Twelves may not have a spinnaker but them foils sure are effective. Keri, is a noted and talented sailor.

Uncharacteristically, Fells/Peacock just could not shake off Graham and Fiona Cranford Smith who by comparison had a good day at the office in this technically demanding class. A shorter and less precious, centreboard on their boat, in the close tacking phase, certainly helped.

For second place Merlin line honours it all remained to play for right to the last mark, where, praise be, Fells/Peacock were forced to sail past mark 2, with their kite still mostly up with the mark receding rapidly in their rear view mirror. In the swiftly ebbing tide, this would have been fatal on its own. But, more haste less speed, led to a cock up in the jib un-cleating department and whoa, a capsize! All this much to the merriment of Uppashade crewed by Graham and Fiona Cranford Smith who swiped second Merlin place, yahoo! The Harris team meantime had done enough to take second place on corrected time sailing well in their National Twelve.

Yawls were supported by three regulars with Andrew Wood, and Anthony Lofts beating the Red fleet boat of Charles Thompson.

In all, vintage Salcombe.

Incidentally, Salcombe Yacht Club now has a swanky new boat park atop the storm water tank owned by South Hams District Council. SHDC have kindly given permission for the club to form a new boat park which is a splendid facility in Salcombe, where parking of any sort, is at a premium. We must make special mention to Geoff Allen, and his team for organising this; it is brilliant. So, if you would like to come and join us at SYC, we can now offer convenient and dedicated boat parking.

Next weekend, the club holds Bart's Bash the very special inaugural world-wide race in humble honour of the late Andrew Simpson, Olympian and Americas Cup sailor. Bart gave so much to the sport in a short space of time.

The full results are on the club website.