Allen Hurricane 5.9 SX Traveller Series round 2 at Starcross Yacht Club

Round 2 of the Allen Traveller Series was held at the beautiful location of Starcross YC on the River Exe. 25 boats entered the event, one of the largest TT turnouts in many years. Well done to Hunter Warden and his team for laying on a great event.

Most of the visitors arrived during the Friday afternoon with a strong breeze which was forecast to increase to 40mph. Camping is a favourite at Starcross due to the location and four tents were erected with many hands hanging on to guide ropes and poles.

After greeting friends over one or two beers etc etc etc.... the breeze came in as planned. Several "tenters" bailed out and headed for a camp bed in the club house, whilst others gave it a go! During the night, the now famous "party tent" tore itself to bits, with three of us doing our best to abandon ship at 4am! Another two-man tent also perished with the occupants safe and sound. The early morning was spent picking through the wreckage to find sailing gear, now sodden and other remnants of belongings.

Start line - Allen Hurricane 5.9 SX Traveller Series at Starcross - photo © David Maynard / www.alleycatphotographer.com

Although the wind had appeared to have dropped off, we were heavily in the lee of the breeze. Reports from around the area were that it would be unwise to sail. So with racing canned it was off to the pub for a long lunch!

Sunday dawned looking much better. The Hurricanes were readied, fully fuelled and guns loaded. Entries from Starcross, Thorpe Bay, Stone, Bala, Weston, Stokes Bay, Hollowell and the Royal Yorkshire were all keen to hit the water. The race officer was going to attempt to run a six race day, two laps per race and the quickest turnaround time on record!

Allen Hurricane 5.9 SX Traveller Series at Starcross - photo © David Maynard / www.alleycatphotographer.com

Well he succeeded and the two lap format was very good. We all enjoyed the rapid-fire racing. The wind, however, was really tough. The tide at Starcross is important but the Westerly breeze running in from Dartmoor gave some gusts, lulls and shifts to behold. It was really tricky to read and everyone had moments of glory and moments of despair.

I won't go into each race this time. Each race was over so quickly and the place changes so many, it would take all my already weakening memory to recall! Mark roundings were exciting, coming in on port in a nice puff, only for it to die and head off. Resulting in quite a few bundles around the marks. Most made it, some had to bail out and a couple of "love taps" but no one died!

A few boats to mention though: It was great to see Ben & Kez Cutler-Sharp back out racing hard again. New pairing Rob Graves and 1st ever time on a Hurricane; Richard Saunders achieved a fourth in Race 2.

Tesni and Bill King - Allen Hurricane 5.9 SX Traveller Series at Starcross - photo © David Maynard / www.alleycatphotographer.com

Race winners: Race 1 - Jack Tindale & Maisie Allen, Race 2 - Ben & Kez Cutler-Sharp, Race 3 - Adam Charlesworth & Richard Robinson, Race 4 & 5 - Ben Harris and Eloise Smith, Race 6 - Ben Warrington & Sophie Boygle.

The standout boat though was Ben Harris & Eloise Smith, who pretty much nailed every race only discarding a fourth. How they found their way in those shifts was nothing more than genius. Very well done guys!

Ben and Kez Cutler-Sharp finish - Allen Hurricane 5.9 SX Traveller Series at Starcross - photo © David Maynard / www.alleycatphotographer.com

This event also scores as a double entry into the Navigators & General New Jib Draw, which will be drawn at the Hurricane Nationals in August. You need to be there to win!

It was really good to see so many of the local Starcross boats out there. We just need you to get them under that railway bridge and up to Bridlington for the next event.

Thanks again to all at Starcross Yacht Club for making us all so welcome and for putting on a great days racing. RIP The Party Tent!

Next Event in the Allen Traveller Series - Royal Yorkshire YC, Bridlington, 18th-19th July.

Ben Harris and Eloise Smith, overall winners - Allen Hurricane 5.9 SX Traveller Series at Starcross - photo © David Maynard / www.alleycatphotographer.com

Overall Results: