Salcombe Yacht Club Autumn Series Race 8
by David Greening 27 Oct 2015 05:29 PDT
25 October 2015
Whilst the forecast indicated a Force 4 North Westerly breeze, little of it was getting to the start line for the start of the final races for the Salcombe Yacht Club Autumn Series. Race Officer Roger Pope wisely sent the fleet to the upper reaches of the harbour, ably assisted by the flood tide, unfortunately the wind direction left few tactical options, and for many the starting position was to determine final outcome.
Martin and Tom Ley's Mirror led home the Junior Handicap Fleet taking the win from the Topper of George Alexander, after a trip to Yalton and back.
Toby Rew sailed a lonely race in his Laser Radial to win unchallenged in the Medium Handicap Fleet.
In the Fast Handicap fleet, Dan Bridger in his new Aero kept pace with the Merlin Rocket of Peter Cook and Janet Exelby and the RS400 of John and Annie McLaren until the exit from Frogmore Creek, which saw Dan take an early bath to drop out of contention.
Seventeen Solos came to the start line, which saw Chris Cleaves power off from the windward end, with Julian Meek in pursuit, whilst those who chose to start further down the line were left in their wake. The only person to make any significant gain from a lowly starting position was Tim Law, who worked his way through to the coat tails of Cleaves and Meek by the Balcombe mark.
As is often the case in North Westerlies at Salcombe, it is never over until it is over, and the return to the harbour saw the three leaders drifting past the Ferry to the Millbay mark, and on the return to the Finish line Tim Law was able to snick first place from Cleaves and Meek, with Olly Alexander securing a credible fourth place.
Three Classic Yawls remaining on the water uncharacteristically late in the season, had a close matched race, with Andrew Wood finding consistent speed to lead the fleet home, chased by Stephen Galvin and David Gates and David Jayne and Anne Gates.
Race 8 Results:
Junior Handicap
1st Mirror 70390, Martin and Tom Ley
2nd Topper 46721, George Alexander
Medium Handicap
1st Laser Radial 180706, Toby Rew
Fast Handicap
1st Merlin Rocket 3616, Peter Cook and Janet Exelby
2nd RS400 1421, John and Annie McLaren
3rd RS Aero 1752, Dan Bridger
Solo
1st 5599, Tim Law
2nd 5573, Chris Cleaves
3rd 5317, Julian Meek
Salcombe Yawl
1st 97, Andrew Wood and John Couling
2nd 28, Stephen Galvin and David Gates
3rd 28, David Jayne and Anne Gates