Summer Series at Salcombe Yacht Club - Day 5

Force 6 South Westerly gusts on an ebb tide provided challenging conditions for the competitors in the fifth race of the Salcombe Yacht Club Summer Series. Race Officer Andrew Wood sent the fleets to Blackstone through the bag to Gerston followed by a loop of the harbour.

After a tight race in the brisk conditions George Alexander prevailed over Ben Meek and Evie Booth in their Terra Sports within the Cadet Handicap fleet.

Tim Fells, getting his eye in for the forthcoming Merlin Rocket Week dominated the Medium Handicap Fleet in his Aero 7, finishing over ten minutes ahead of the Aeros of Chris and Claire Booth.

There was added interest in the Fast Handicap fleet as Solo class stalwarts took the opportunity to test drive two new Hadron H2's, though gusts into 30 knots and 10 minutes sailing in these boats probably did not provide the results that these speedy steeds deserved. Alistair Morley in his Phantom led at the first mark, a lead which he was to extend of John and Annie McLaren's RS400 over Widegates, with Chris Cleaves in one of the Hadron H2's securing third place.

Nineteen Solos came to the line, including several who were using the race as a final preparation for a ten strong Salcombe attack at the forthcoming Solo National Championships at Pwllheli. Bill Jogo continued his excellent form to lead off the start line with Iain MacGregor and Adrian Griffin in close attendance; however Peter Ballantine, despite two capsizes worked his way through to take the winning bell.

Of the seven Salcombe Yawls, Paul Ellis and Stephen Page, and Geoff Gilson and Chris Spencer Chapman emerged from the starting line first to move away from the classic contenders, however John Smithers and Pete Hughes and Andy and Liz Savell stayed sufficiently in touch to take the top two podium places.

Salcombe Summer Series day 5 - photo © Margaret Mackley

Cadet Handicap results:

1st RS Tera Sport, 2136, George Alexander
2nd RS Tera Sport, 1881, Ben Meek
3rd RS Tera Sport, 2146, Evie Booth

Medium Handicap results:

1st RS Aero 7, 1505, Tim Fells
2nd RS Aero 7, 1416, Chris Booth
3rd RS Aero 7, 1517, Claire Booth

Fast Handicap results:

1st Phantom, 1357, Alistair Morley
2nd National 12, 3431, Tom Ballantine and crew
3rd Hadron H2, 102, Chris Cleaves

Solo results:

1st 4894, Peter Ballantine
2nd 5598, Bill Jago
3rd 5303, Iain MacGregor

Salcombe Yawl results:

1st 19, John Smithers and Peter Hughes
2nd 140, Andy and Liz Savell
3rd 181, Paul Ellis and Stephen Page