Sunset Salver 2025 at Fishers Green Sailing Club
by Christian Hill 22 Sep 2025 19:01 BST
Sunset Salver series at Fishers Green © Christian Hill
Blake Newman retains the coveted FGSC Sunset Salver 2025. A 22 race series starting way back in April. A healthy mix different classes graced the start line over the 18 race series, most popular being the Merlin class ten boats across the series.
With the order of race officer duties being taken in order of finishing the previous year, Blake was first up to take charge of proceedings and could only sit and watch to see who would be the next challenger to the crown.
Fellow Aero sailor Graham Sexton took the win, but as Graham only made a handful of appearances during the series, a challenge would have to come elsewhere.
Step forward wild card Steve Conroy to take a win, but again not enough races completed to make a real challenge.
Blake then stepped on the gas opting to sail the Aero 7 and pray for a light series, took 3 straight wins, putting down a marker to others.
A new youth paring in a vintage Merlin 3055 shogun kindly lent by Nick Yannakoyorgos, Matteo Mancini (20) and Hannah Baker (16) put together an impressive set of results including the final race win, to take second spot overall.
A late charge from cousin Mike Atkinson also in a Aero 7 was to little to late to put any real pressure on the series leader Blake.
Richard Coulter solo 5068 finished fourth overall and first in the ever-strong Solo fleet, Richard had a strong finish to series with race wins and podium positions but run out of races to make any real inroads to take the crown.
Race wins spread throughout the fleet from Merlin 3715 Richard/Russ, Arthur Baker Laser Radial, to vintage Merlin 3252 Tony/Jess Cooper.
Challengers came from far and wide they came and they went but none could dislodge or prise the sunset salver from the deserving Blake Newman who retained the crown with races to spare.
The real highlight as ever where the end of series fish and chips accompanied by Graham Newman's now legendary homemade curry sauce and mushy peas.
As ever the FGSC set was blessed with glorious sunsets, close racing in a fabulous mixture of classes and different team combinations, great atmosphere and camaraderie.
- 9 different race winners
- 13 different classes
- 3 races lost to lack of wind
Many thanks to those who took their turn as Race officer, and the ever present rescue team Jessica Mancini/Bill Nokes.
Who is up for the challenge to deny Blake Newman making three in a row?