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Salcombe Yacht Club Commissioning Race 2023

by John Burn 5 Mar 19:10 GMT 4 March 2023
Salcombe YC Commissioning Race © Lucy Burn

A cold, gentle NE breeze paired with a flood tide was on hand to welcome the start of Salcombe Yacht Club 2023 season. 17 boats arrived at the start line, to take on the course set by Chris 'Chubby' Cleaves: 3-1-3-1-3-1.

After a manic first beat where clear air and calling the shifts was imperative the fleet eventually settled down with the Henderson Lark and Bridger Aero out in front.

Close behind, a small group of four Solos had formed containing the two newest additions to the Solo fleet and were locked in a downwind gybing battle along the Portlemouth shore. Fells led this tight group for much of the race but on the second beat back from Blackstone it was Burn who took advantage of the shifts best as they passed in front of the Watch House.

Burn arrived at the mark just ahead of Fells and this duo now started to pull clear from the chasing pack. Unfortunately for the Lark and Aero they were unable to capitalise on their speed advantage and so it was now clear that it would be a two horse race between Fells and Burn for the win.

As they reached Blackstone for the last time Fells pipped Burn to the mark putting himself in the driving seat for the final dash to the line and claimed his first win of the season with Burn a close second. Robin Hodges finished off the podium in third.

Thank you to the race team for overseeing procedures on the water and to our new chef Patrick for providing a delicious buffet back at the club after racing for members.

Overall Results:

PosClassSail NoHelmCrewPYPts
1stSolo5739Tim Fells 11431
2ndSolo5336John Burn 11432
3rdSolo5096Robin Hodges 11433
4thSolo5799Roger Guess 11434
5thLark2157Will HendersonMandy Henderson10735
6thSolo4857Mike Hodges 11436
7thLaser Radial209997Andrew Groves 11477
8thSolo5743Nigel Blazeby 11438
9thSolo5406James Greenhill 11439
10thSolo6030Adrian Griffin 114310
11thSolo4813Chris Turns 114311
12thNational 123537Mike HoyleSian Hodges106412
13thSolo4940Geoff Allen 114313
14thSolo5183Malcolm Mackley 114314
15thSolo5411Stuart Cartwright 114315
16thAero 91752Dan Bridger 101416
17thSolo5741John Evans 114317
18thSolo5755Graham Cranford Smith 114334
18thSolo5757Julian Meek 114334
18thSolo5453Bruce Hattersley 114334
18thSolo5734Chris Spencer‑Chapman 114334
18thMerlin Rocket3769William WarrenFiona Cranford Smith98034
18thSalcombe Yawl99Stephen GalvinDan Bridger112534
18thPhantom1417Olly Alexander 100434
18thMerlin Rocket3676Frances GiffordSophie Mackley98034
18thLaser 4.7196106Edward Alexander 120734
18thAlbacore8252Aj SquireShelia Squire103834
18thLaser186827John Burn 110034
18thSolo5879Chris Cleaves 114334
18thSolo5966Tim Law 114334
18thSolo5898Simon Dobson 114334
18thSolo5951Billy Jago 114334
18thSolo5792David Greening 114334

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