Starcross Steamer 2009 at Starcross Yacht Club
by John Donovan, PRO 19 Jan 2009 08:16 GMT
18 January 2009
The overnight gales that affected the whole of Great Britain had blown through by very early morning, leaving light to moderate conditions for the eighteenth running of the Starcross Steamer on Sunday 18th January. The entry of 54 boats although a little down on last year, enjoyed the ideal conditions on the beautiful Exe estuary. Due to the early tide, the first start for the Cadets was at 10 o'clock making many of the visitors get out of bed very early in the morning. Praise must especially go to James Turle and William Powell (who are only 12 years old), who came up the estuary from Exmouth to race for two and a half hours and then return home the same way - true dedication to the sport we all love.
Unfortunately just before James and William started, the wind died and they got swept back from the line with the tide, after five minutes they eventually crossed the line. After 27 minutes the sole Laser 4.7 started followed 2 minutes later by three Solos. The biggest fleet as usual were the Merlin Rockets with 10 entries, starting 43 minutes after the Cadet. This fleet have produced several past winners of the Steamer; the second largest fleet was the B14s who started at 10.58 confident that their higher speed and handling skills could overtake the slower boats ahead. As usual their confidence was misplaced, as Mark Pollard and Tim Stickley in 764 decided that whilst on a reach with the kite up at 15 knots it was sail washing time, to the delight of all the other B14s. Before the first round had been completed, the Solo 4940 helmed by Peter Hammond swept past the Cadet. Peter just managed to complete his lap as Russ Gibbs and Megan Fileman were starting their race in the sole RS800.
With the wind increasing throughout the race it was the later starters than had the best of the wind. A slight mistake by Solo 4940 allowed fellow Solo sailor Paul Ellis in 4830 to take the lead which he kept for all of two minutes, until past by Merlin Rocket 3626, of Glen Truswell and Olly Turner. As the final minutes ticked away, with the increasing wind the RS800 really started to fly on the tight reaches, but at the end it was the skill of Glen and Olly who were able to extend their lead over the second Merlin of Matt Briggs and Rob Kennaugh to over four minutes.
To have so many visitors who come back year after year, from so far away, ignoring the TV weather forecast of winds in excess of 30 knots, is most pleasing to all in the Club. Make a note in your diaries, next years event will be on January 24th, with the Cadet start at 10.30. We look forward to seeing you all again.
Thanks as always must go to the galley that produced vast quantities of hot food and drink for competitors and spectators, the rescue boat crews who were not too busy and the multihull fleet who organized and manned the event.
Overall Results:
1. Glen Truswell and Olly Turner (Starcross Yacht Club) Merlin Rocket 3626
2. Matt Biggs and Rob Kennaugh (Blithfield Sailing Club) Merlin Rocket 3684
3. Jon Gorringe and Pete Horn (Parkstone Yacht Club) Merlin Rocket 3618
4. Russ Gibbs and Megan Fileman (Starcross Yacht Club) RS800 921
5. Richard Cain and Owen Taylor (Starcross Yacht Club) RS400 411
6. Simon Hawkes (Wimbleball SC) Phantom 1218
Furthest travelled - Matt Biggs and Rob Kennaugh (Blithfield SC) Merlin Rocket 3684
First Junior - Alex Horlock and Edward Pearce (Exe SC) RS200 1059
First Lady Helm - Jessica Blick and Sam Jacklin (Exe SC) RS200 1047
A full list of the results can be view on the club web site at www.starcrossyc.org.uk