Salcombe Yacht Club Autumn Series - Race 7
by John Burn & David Greening 25 Oct 2022 10:37 BST
22 October 2022
Handicap
Three teams took to the water to take part in the final fast handicap race of the Autumn series. Andrew and Tristram Squire in the Albacore, Mike Hoyle and Sian Hodges in a National 12 and Tim Fells in his Aero 7.
The double handers both opted for the Portlemouth side whilst Tim, all on his own made his way up the town shore which ultimately paid off as he reached Blackstone first.
The small fleet headed off up the estuary and made their way through The Bag for not one but TWO laps! The Albacore and Aero had steadily pulled away from the National 12 as they battled it out, each with the eye on the win.
It was Tim who made the best of the difficult conditions though claiming 1st and ensuring him 2nd overall in the series.
Andrew and Tristram 2nd but, due to Andrew's incredible run of form in the series with his wife, Sheila, was able to count it as one of their discards thus winning the series with four 1st places.
Handicap Results
Yawls
Similar to the fast handicap there were three red fleet yawls out to take part in Saturday's racing.
Frankie Burn, missing the last race whilst on holiday, left dad, John Burn, to fend for himself. Luckily Jacob Chambers stepped in and after a good start they found themselves in the lead. However, they were soon passed by Dan and Gail Bridger and then Phil King and John Sleep.
Dan and Gail led The fleet into The Bag but with good off wind speed Phil and John managed to overhaul them by the time they reached Gerston.
The gap between the three boats seemingly remained the same as they completed their loops in The Bag with none being able to stretch their advantage over the other.
As they rounded Snapes Point with the finish line in sight, the wind in the harbour had become some what inconsistent. This didnt stop Phil and John though as they cruised to victory.
John and Jacob finished 2nd which was more than good enough for the series win.
Unfortunately, there was an injury (nothing too serious) in the Bridger Yawl which led to their withdrawal from the race.
Yawl Results
Solos (by David Greening)
With a strong flood tide, and after considerable examination of the preceding starts, the majority of the 15 strong Solo fleet chose to start on the town side.
Tim Law was leading Simon Dobson and Chris Cleaves by Woodcot Rocks, and chose to follow the always risky transverse of Crab Pots, whist Dobson and Cleaves crossed to Biddle Head, however Law emerged with a small advantage at the windward mark.
Dobson closed up the gap down the lengthy run to Gerston. There followed two circuits of the Bag, with Dobson momentarily gaining the advantage on the way through the harbour to the finish line, however Law prevailed.
Chris Cleaves eventually broke free on the beat through the bag from a pack comprising Gavin Stevens and David Greening, to take third and Stevens overtook Greening at Snapes Point to secure fourth place.
Overall, the series win goes to Simon Dobson.
Solo Results