Blaze Southern Softie Series during the Paignton POSH Regatta

Lining up on the beach during the Paignton Posh Regatta 2013 © Charlotte Bell

Paignton POSH Regatta 2013 © Paignton Sailing Club

Nine Blazes ignored the weather forecast and travelled to the English Riviera to join two local boats for the 2013 edition of POSH. For the Blaze class, Paignton Open 4 Single Handers was the second round of the Blaze Southern Softie series, though never before has a series name been so inappropriate. Saturday proved to be just as predicted, force 5 to 6, westerly (off-shore). Eventual event winner, Martin Saveker capsized on the beach (twice) much to the amusement of Simon Beddows who then launched and managed a whole 200m before doing the same, followed by much of the rest of the fleet, two of whom, played safe and returned back to shore immediately.

For the boats that made the start line, the racing was fast and furious. Martin showed us all a clean pair of heals (which he kept dry) and took the first race with Myles Mence keeping him honest in second and Pete Barlow in third. At this point there seemed to be more boats with vertical centreboards than masts so the fleet was sent ashore. It was around this time that Bob Yates was heard muttering those immortal words 'Not Morecambe Bay again'.

Sunday dawned just as forecasted again, force 4 to 5. PRO Ken Falcon, and his faithful black flag, wasted no time and set a slightly shorter course to enable extra races to be sailed and make up for Saturdays disappointment.

Myles took the first two races of the day from Martin with Julian Owens and then Mike Bell taking a third each. Martin was back at the top in race four with Myles in second and Pete third. Equal points at the front going into race five with a lightening wind, but the showdown proved to be short lived when Myles' forestay decided enough was enough and ended the weekend early. Simon, revelling in the slightly lighter conditions took the win over Martin and Pete again taking third. Feeling confident, Simon tightened his lowers and got ready for a late flourish, but the wind had other ideas. As race six start sequence got underway, the wind dramatically increased leaving just five Blazes, together with one Phantom, to fight to the end. Nick Ripley and Martin were first to the windward mark, swapped places on the first reach and remained in close company for the rest of the race with Simon in third.

Martin wrapped up the weekend with his three wins and discarded two second places. Myles had done enough for second with Simon taking third by one point over Julian with Nick and Pete a further point adrift in 5th and 6th on count-back.

The Blaze fleet will be back in Paignton in June for their National Championships when everyone will be praying that the traditional Torbay sunshine and 10-15 knot south westerly wind will be back.

Overall Results: