Craftinsure Silver Tiller and Allspars SW Series at Salcombe Yacht Club

The 2025 Salcombe Craftinsure Silver Tiller and Allspars South West Series open meeting sponsored by Helly Hansen looked like it was going to be a long damp weekend with light winds, but this little haven in the South Hams had other things in mind and instead delivered sun and wind over the weekend of the 22nd and 23rd March.

David Greening is as good a race officer as any class could wish - keeping us in the main channel when the wind was in the east and giving the fleet a chance to stretch their legs and enjoy the creeks when the wind and water allowed.

Race one saw the fleet enjoy a windward leeward course in the estuary providing grandstand racing for those on the terrace enjoying the spring sunshine. With an easterly force two-three the consensus was to beat up town side but it's never that simple, and the Salcombe snakes and ladders kept a few on their toes - not to mention the shallows 'that have moved since last year'! Christian Birrell and Sam Breary took the win, from Ben Saxton and Matt Rainback then Chris Gould and Sophie Mackley.

Racing downwind in Salcombe harbour with East Portlemouth behind - Craftinsure Silver Tiller and Allspars SW Series at Salcombe - photo © Lucy Burn

The second race of the day in a slackening tide provided less of a dilemma about which side to commit to, but it was the town side that paid with local hero Graham Cranford-Smith crewed by Innes Armstrong who led round the windward mark closely followed by Mary and Rupert Henderson-White. It was the latter pairing who kept the fleet at bay to take the win followed by Chris and Sophie then Ben and Matt.

Sunday saw a stronger northerly greet the fleet as they set off for a harbour tour. At the start it was Mary and Rupert who won the town side but the boats that got onto port in the middle did best. The pack shuffled themselves a little up Frogmore creek and then the taller crews stretched their legs on the beat up towards Kingsbridge. The top three of Will and Arthur Henderson, Christian and Sam, and Ben and Matt pulled away from the chasing pack who all compressed as they come back into the estuary. The podium positions went to Christian and Sam, Matt and Ben, Will and Arthur.

Suns out, guns out - Craftinsure Silver Tiller and Allspars SW Series at Salcombe - photo © Lucy Burn

The final race of the day was another long beat to Gerston with massive gains and losses through the bag. Christian and Sam, Ben and Matt, Dave Lee and Angela Bridges all got it right, but it was close in the chasing pack of Mary and Rupert, Chris and Sophie, Chris Bateman and Rob Allen, Tim Fells and Frances Gifford. At the finish the race podium reflected that of the event.

Christian and Sam won comfortably with three firsts, Ben and Matt were second and Chris and Sophie third. The gold fleet was won by Mary and Rupert Henderson White, silver fleet winners were Dave Lee and Angela Bridges and Steve Harling and Eleanor Thomas won the bronze fleet.

A massive thank you to David and all the Salcombe YC volunteers and catering staff for a wonderful weekend of racing, socialising and organising such spectacular weather.

The next event is the Bartley Green Craftinsure Silver Tiller on Sunday the 30th March, which is also part of the HD Sails Midland, Craftinsure Vintage and Classic Series.

Salcombe harbour by Blackstone - Craftinsure Silver Tiller and Allspars SW Series at Salcombe - photo © Kate Lee

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