Summer Series at Salcombe Yacht Club - Day 6
by Simon Dobson 19 Jul 2016 11:11 BST
16 July 2016
Champagne sailing conditions – sunny skies and south westerly wind that varied between 10 and 15 knots - greeted competitors in race 6 of the Summer Series at the Salcombe Yacht Club. An afternoon high tide allowed race officer Will Henderson to make full use of the estuary, sending the fleet upwind to Blackstone followed by trips to Frogmore and Gerston followed by a final lap from Blackstone to Crossways. The last of the flood tide was still running at the start, making a good start close to the shore of upmost importance and there were several who pushed their luck too far.
The Junior Handicap race had a number of new competitors which made for a heated start. Tilly White led the fleet round the first mark in her Laser 4.7. However on the leg running to Frogmore Creek, the Teras of Ben Meek, Evie Booth and George Alexander closed the gap between Ru McColl in his Q'ba and Tilly's Laser. Upon returning to the harbour the fresh conditions made an exciting yet challenging beat to the finish which saw Ben take the win followed closely by Evie and George.
In the Medium Handicap division Charlie Blazeby was the first of the afternoon's premature starters but he returned to start correctly and gradually worked his way through the 10 strong fleet, in the end taking a comfortable win from his fellow Laser Radials of Toby Rew and Coleen Pope. The Fast Handicap fleet saw the return of the Merlin Rocket of Peter Cook and Janet Exelby after damage to their boat sustained in a spring gale had required extensive repairs. They immediately found their form, taking the win from the Merlin Rocket of Robin Hodges and Fiona Cranford Smith and the Aero of Dan Bridger.
With a good proportion of local Solos away at the National Championships in north Wales it was pleasing to see 18 boats in the fleet. The start was another that was keenly contested with Peter Hammond forced to return to re-cross the line. By the windward mark Ed Stephens led, followed by Simon Dobson and Phil King. These three had broken clear of the fleet and the race developed into three way battle. By the penultimate leg Dobson looked to have the race sewn up but on the final beat to the finish King played the shifts better and broke through for the win.
10 Yawls contested the start with Geoff Gilson another judged to be a premature starter by the Race Officer. Simon and Victoria Gibbens sailing Y172 established an early lead that they maintained to the finish. Behind them Frank Rowsell helming for Charles Thompson came through well to take second from Graham and Tessa Pike.
Day 6 Results:
Cadets
1st Ben Meek, Tera 1881
2nd Evie Booth, Tera 2146
3rd George Alexander, 2136
Medium Handicap
1st Charlie Blazeby, Laser Radial 203307
2nd Toby Rew, Laser Radial 180706
3rd Coleen Pope, Laser Radial 201476
Fast Handicap
1st Peter Cook and Janet Exelby, Merlin Rocket 3616
2nd Robin Hodges and Fiona Cranford Smith, Merlin Rocket 3769
3rd Dan Bridger, RS Aero 1752
Solos
1st Phil King, 5568
2nd Simon Dobson, 5676
3rd Ed Stephens, 5194
Yawls
1st Simon and Victoria Gibbens, 172
2nd Frank Rowsell and Charles Thompson, 188
3rd Graham and Tessa Pike, 154