Salcombe Yacht Club Summer Series - Race 5
by David Greening 12 Jul 2015 13:38 BST
12 July 2015
As 120 visiting Merlin Rockets left town, Salcombe Yacht Club members came out to play for the 5th race of the Summer Series.
Race officer Alistair Morley arrived in time to set an "around the creeks" course in a solid force 4 West South Westerly breeze. Starting on slack water the flood tide was to set in during the later stages of the race, making for more challenging conditions.
First away was the Junior Handicap fleet and the trip down to Yalton was to prove to challenging for some, who had to be towed back to the main harbour, however two of the Club's RS Qubas got around. Well done to Ruari McColl, Sophie Bearblock and Tilly White.
Hot off the back of Merlin Rocket Week Tim Fells was keen to test out his new RS Aero finishing eleven minutes ahead of the next boat in the Medium Handicap fleet.
Chris Winzar and Ritchie Park in the National 12 took control of the Fast Handicap fleet, which was led home by Peter Colclough and Peter Ballantine in their RS400, revelling in the three sail reaching conditions to be enjoyed in the upper harbour.
Twenty Solos made for a very competitive start, although all the fleet chose to head from the line to the Portlemouth shore Chris Cleaves crossed the tide back to Woodcott rocks and made the most of his not inconsiderable stature to power into the lead at Blackstone.
The seven leading Solos sailed abreast down the run from Blackstone to Yalton, with Peter Hammond breaking through from the windward shore at the turning mark. However it was a day for the more powerful members of the fleet, especially in the upper reaches of the harbour, with Chris Cleaves eventually breaking past Simon Gibbens and Graham Cranford Smith.
The Salcombe Yawls had good racing, with a mix of modern and classic boats making up the podium on handicap. Frank Rowsell sailing with Victoria Gibbens made the most of the freshening conditions drawing out a healthy lead to their pursuers. David Jayne sailing with Chris Spencer Chapman held John Smithers and Peter Hughes at bay to take the Classic Win.
Race 5 Results:
Junior Handicap
1st RS Quba Sport 4, Ruari McCol and Sophie Bearblock
2nd RS Quba Sport 2, Tilly White
Medium Handicap
1st RS Aero 7 1505, Tim Fells
2nd RS Aero 9 1415, Chris Booth
3rd RS Aero 7 1517, Claire Booth
Fast Handicap
1st National 12 3524, Chris Winzar and Richie Park
2nd Merlin Rocket 3521, Andrew and Sheila Squire
3rd RS400 1329, Peter Colclough and Peter Ballantine
Solo
1st 5573, Chris Cleaves
2nd 5428, Simon Gibbens
3rd 5444, Graham Cranford Smith
Salcombe Yawl
1st 184, Frankie Rowsell and Victoria Gibbens
2nd 28, David Jayne and Fenella Goldsworthy
3rd 19, John Smithers and Peter Hughes