Solo Western Travellers Series and Sea Series at Teign Corinthian Yacht Club

by John Steels 2 Oct 2017 19:30 BST 30 September 2017

On Saturday 30th September, seven visitors joined eleven local Solos at Teign Corinthian YC for Round 8 of the Western Area Travellers Series and part of the Solo Sea Series.

The weather forecast had not looked too promising with strong winds and heavy rain expected to arrive in time for the first race. However this was not to be, we had no rain and a light to moderate shifty wind arriving over the southern banks of the estuary.

The race officer Don Harrison (assisted by Mike Commander) set a 'W' shaped course which provided two good beats, a reach and a run with 3 laps per race. 3 races were sailed back to back with no discards allowed.

The fleet was remarkably well behaved and no recalls were required which is very unusual for the Solo fleet!

In all of the races the beats proved to be critical, catching the frequent shifts enabled significant places to be won or lost.

Race 1 set a pattern with Ian MacGregor just holding off Simon Jones followed by Tim Martin. Race 2 was again won by Ian with Jonathan Otter finishing just in front of Simon in third. Race 3 saw Simon and Ian get clear of the fleet with John Steels finding some good shifts to move up to second before being pipped at the finish by Ian.

Overall Results:

Pos	Sail No	Helm	Club	R1	R2	R3	Pts
1st	5744	Ian MacGregor	Salcombe	1	1	2	4
2nd	5462	Simon Jones	TCYC	2	3	1	6
3rd	5168	Jonathan Otter	Papercourt SC	6	2	4	12
4th	5252	Tim Martin	TCYC	3	4	6	13
5th	5494	John Steels	Starcross	5	6	3	14
6th	5549	Peter Hearne	TCYC	4	5	11	20
7th	4988	Gary Molton	Tew Valley	10	8	7	25
8th	3965	James Stevenson	TCYC	7	7	12	26
9th	5282	Vernon Perkins	South Cerney	12	10	5	27
10th	5560	Charles Stimpson	Spinnaker	9	11	9	29
11th	4350	Charlie Tolcher	TCYC	11	13	8	32
12th	5422	Dave Northcott	TCYC	8	15	10	33
13th	4922	Ben Miles	TCYC	13	9	16	38
14th	4795	Neil Howard	TCYC	15	12	15	42
15th	396	Paul Heather	TCYC	14	16	13	43
16th	4168	John Jordan	Frampton on Severn	16	14	14	44
17th	525	Mick Prowse	TCYC	17	17	18	52
18th	4889	Paul Farmer	TCYC	18	18	17	53

Results were extremely close with just one point separating 3rd 4th and 5th places. Extra prizes were also awarded to:

• 1st 'Old' Boat - James Stevenson – Solo 3965
• 10th Charles Stimpson – Spinnaker SC
• Newcomer Award – Paul Farmer TCYC

After the races the fleet returned ashore to enjoy great hospitality at the clubhouse, being served an excellent Devon cream tea!

The 2017 Solo Western Series is drawing to a conclusion, with just 2 more events remaining:

• Saturday October 14th - South Cerney SC - Open Meeting
• Sat/Sun October 28/29th - Salcombe YC - Western Area Championships