Welstead September Yawl Open - Red Fleet
by John Burn 30 Sep 2025 06:37 PDT
27-28 September 2025
The September Open marks the end of the season for many, while others try to eke it out for as long as possible.
The midweek forecast for the weekend wasn’t too encouraging: showers on Saturday and a windless north-westerly Sunday. But this is Salcombe, where anything can happen, and true to form the conditions proved far better than predicted on both days.
The number of Yawls racing regularly this season has been astonishing, and the Welstead Open was no different. With 18 entries in the Blue Fleet and 17 in the Red, it was the largest turnout for the September Open to date. The standard across both fleets was exceptional, and a top-five finish would be a real achievement.
Racing on Saturday was overseen by Ian Stewart, while Nigel Blazeby took charge on Sunday. Both set creative, well-received courses. Saturday's races were sailed in the harbour with trips up to Gerston, while on Sunday the fleets headed out across the Bar.
Race 1
John Burn and Tris Stone (Y170) nailed the start, leading the fleet around Blackstone and down to Mill Bay, with Robin Hodges and Frances Gifford (Y179) close behind and Olly Turner and Chris Skelhorn (Y186) in pursuit.
Hodges and Gifford took the lead on the way to Gerston, pulling clear with Burn and Stone, while Turner and Skelhorn dropped back. Burn and Stone almost regained the lead at Ox Point as they exited the Bag, but Hodges and Gifford held firm to the line. Result: Hodges & Gifford first, Burn & Stone second, Turner & Skelhorn third.
Race 2
The wind dropped and grew more unpredictable, shifting south-east as the afternoon progressed. Another course to Blackstone, followed by a long run through the Bag to Gerston and a beat home, tested the fleet in tricky conditions.
There could only be one winner: Will and Mandy Henderson (Y168). In characteristic Henderson fashion, they blasted away from the start and were never challenged. Hodges & Giffords consistency earned them second, while Tim Law and Charlie McKenzie (Y174) completed the podium.
By the end of day one, the mixed results underlined the need for consistency to win in such a strong fleet.
Race 3
Sunday dawned sunny and hot, but with little wind. By the start, however, Salcombe once again delivered. The light breeze was shifty, and the course sent the fleet beating to an X mark off the Ferry Inn before a slow leg out across the Bar to M.
With the ebb tide running hard, everyone wanted the inside line by Cliff House Gardens. Burn and Stone, the heaviest pairing in the fleet and not the obvious favourites off the line, showed otherwise and stormed ahead. They rounded X clear and built what seemed an unassailable lead.
But two legendary Salcombe sailors had other ideas: Phil King & John Sleep (Y183) and the Hendersons. As the fleet returned from M, King & Sleep overhauled Burn & Stone, and the three battled tack for tack across the sand bar. King & Sleep eventually broke clear to take a well-earned win, while Andrew & Sheila Squire (Y166) snatched second within sight of the finish, leaving Burn & Stone third and the Hendersons just off the podium.
Race 4
With everything still to play for, the final race began in similarly light conditions. The course mirrored Race 3 but sent the fleet to O instead of M.
Andrew & Sheila Squire thrived, establishing a commanding lead as they headed out over Blackstone. The Hendersons gave chase, while John & Katy Meadowcroft (Y175) fought hard with a chasing pack for third.
The Squires cruised to victory, the Hendersons took second, and the Meadowcrofts held their nerve to secure third.
A fitting finale
A huge thank you goes to everyone involved in organising such a brilliant weekend of racing, and to our new sponsor Welstead for providing the hard-fought prizes.
Remarkably, each race produced a different winner — proof of just how competitive and high-quality this ever-growing fleet has become.
Overall Results:
1st Will & Mandy Henderson (Y168)
2nd Robin Hodges & Frances Gifford (Y179)
3rd Andrew & Sheila Squire (Y166)
4th John Burn & Tristan Stone (Y170)
5th Andy Davis & Graham Cranford-Smith (Y172)