Solo Open at Starcross Yacht Club
by Paul Kelley 1 Jul 2023 15:31 BST
24 June 2023
The phrase "Champagne Sailing" is commonly used to suggest a perfect day's sailing in perfect conditions and this is exactly what all those sailing on the River Exe on Saturday June 24th experienced.
The sun was shining and the wind was from the South around 15-20 knots. 22 Solos took the water at around 0930 with three B2B races scheduled for the day. The Race Officer was using Flag ' U ' for the day, which persuaded everyone to behave, there being no recalls though out the day.
Race 1 started cleanly in a fast building breeze and it was Paul Kelley who lead round the first mark, hotly pursued by Paul Bartlett, Olly Turner, Charlie Nunn, Paul Jacobs and a very tightly packed fleet behind. The wind continued to build and on lap three, really increased substantially to around 18/20 knots. Unfortunately Turner capsized on the final run, whilst in contention for the win but by the end, it was Bartlett who took the win fro Paul Jacobs, with Nunn just pipping Kelley for third at the line.
Race 2 started first time again, with the warm wind now full-on and still from the South. The same front runners were there again, with Turner leading round the top mark this time. Very close and tight racing was enjoyed by all, with places changing all the time but at the end of the race, it was Turner who took a deserved win from Bartlett in second and Vernon Perkins in third.
Race 3 started in the same, champagne conditions and was effectively a rematch of races 2 and 3 and therefore, some very close and tight racing was pursued, with line honours being hotly contested. It was Turner who closely contested the lead with Nunn, Jacobs Bartlett and Steve Roberts. Unfortunately Bartlett touched the wing mark and having complete a 360 turn, dropped just out of contention. At the finish, it was Tuner yet again, very closely followed after a pedicure rule by Nunn, with Jacobs taking a fine third place.
Olly Turner, having cleaned the bottom of his boat during Race 1, sailed brilliantly to take two wins and the top podium, with Paul Bartlett taking the second podium and Charlie Nunn taking third.
We were delighted to welcome so many visitors to Starcross and particularly four Solos who had traveled all the way from Leigh on Sea SC. We hope everyone will return next year for another day of champagne sailing on the River Exe.
This was truly a very memorable days sailing and racing, with close racing all the way down the fleet. The racing was expertly and efficiently run by Russ Gibbs the OOD and his experienced team, not forgetting the safety boat crews. The whole day was enjoyed by everyone and was tremendous success not only afloat but also ashore, with equal amounts of thanks to the club's galley team and the glamorous trolley dollies.
Overall Results:
1st 5546 Olly Turner (Salcombe Y.C.)
2nd 5964 Paul Bartlett (Starcross Y.C.)
3rd 5901 Charlie Nunn (Torpoint Mosquito S.C.)
4th 6003 Paul Jacobs (Starcross Y.C.)
5th 6059 Paul Kelley (Starcross Y.C.)
6th 5642 Steve Roberts (Torpoint Mosquito S.C.)