LIGHT winds greeted contestants in Saltash Sailing Clubs annual dinghy regatta at the weekend with 18 dinghies out in three classes for the Saturday's race, although the winds picked up just after the start.

In the slow handicap Peter Hooper and crew Luke had the best start in the Mirror with Sam Phillips, in a Toper, and Samantha Martin with Tressa King following behind. With the wind and tide against them they had trouble making the first mark at Bridges but they eventually rounded the mark and set off to Bridges, Pier and Mudcotte.

Samantha completed two laps to receive line honours but Sam Phillips came home in second place to win on handicap with Peter Hooper coming second and Samantha getting third place.

In the medium division Kathleen Refson, National 12, was first over the line ahead of three other National 12's, a Phantom and an Enterprise. The dinghies were sent to Bridges, South Skinham, North Skinham, Pier and finally Mudcotte. Martin Watt in his Phantom took an early lead where he stayed for the entire race to win with John Murrell and Evie Oliver, National 12, coming home seven minutes behind for second and Kathleen Refson third.

The Laser II class were out in force and first over the line of the nine was Tom Derham (no number). The course was the same as the medium division, when they had rounded North Skinham coming to Pier they were almost looked to be planing with their spinnakers flying. Phil Hooper and daughter Abi, 9735, were in the lead as they came for the finish with Phil Harrison/Alison Dart (Y10420) in second and Tom Derham/Paul coming home in third.

Sunday morning saw perfect conditions with lots of sun and winds northwesterly force 3 to 4.

With four more entrants the slow division was now four Mirrors, a Pico, a Topper and a Firefly. The course was set as Pier, Mudcotte and Trots all to starboard.

Sam Phillips, Topper, had the best start but all had a tough time reaching Pier with wind and tide against them. Eventually all but one, a Mirror, rounded the mark to sail to Mudcotte and Trots but again fighting against the tide they struggled to come back to Pier and another two, the Topper and Pico retired. Samantha Martin and Kate, Firefly, came home to win on elapsed and corrected time with Peter Hooper/Luke, Mirror, second and Tressa King and crew (Mirror) third.

The medium division were sent to Bridges, South Skinham, Ernesettle and Mudcotte, John Murrell and Evie Oliver, National 12, were first over the line but were soon overtaken by martin Watt in his Phantom with Chris Roswell and crew (Enterprise) following closely behind. The racing between these three boats was excellent to watch and again Martin Watt, Phantom, was first over the line with John Murrell and Evie Oliver, National 12, coming second and Chris Roswell and crew (Enterprise) coming home in third. It was only when Martin came in to the line hut to tally off at the end of the race did he find out he had been disqualified for not tallying on at the start of the race, so 1st was John Murrell, 2nd Chris Roswell and 3rd Simon Hinks, National 12.

The Laser II class now numbering 10 were all vieing for position on the start line but Phil Harrison/Alison Dart (Y10420) had the best start with Sally Kiff and crew (8499) no far behind. They had a long beat to bridges and then South Skinham before crossing to Ernesettle and the run back under spinnaker to Mudcotte. Phil Hooper and brother Mike, 9735, were again to win in the lead as they came for the finish with Phil Harrison/Alison Dart (Y10420) in second and Tom Derham/Paul coming home in third and Chris Hampe and crew (B10420) in fourth. These results did not stand as a protest was upheld against (Y10420) and (B10420) was disqualified for not tallying on at the start of the race. 1st Phil Hooper, 2nd Tom Derham and 3rd Peter Raymond-Jones and Liz (8540).

The afternoon racing looked as if they were going to have less wind but still glorious sunshine. The course was Brunel Green, Bridges and a laid mark in the middle of the river. The Firefly (Samantha Martin & Kate), Topper (Sam Phillips) and Mirror 14929 (Peter Hooper & Luke) all in with a chance of a 1st. The Firefly was first over the line hotly pursued by the Mirror 14929 and the Topper.

There were no incidents until the Firefly rounded Bridges to the first lap and was caught by a gust and capsized. Samantha and Kate were quickly rescued but the dinghy with Samantha trying to take the sails down went over again and had to be towed back to the club. It now looked to be between Topper (Sam Phillips) and Mirror 14929 (Peter Hooper & Luke) but as Peter was just past the Bridge he also capsized and had to be rescued and brought back to the club. Sam Phillips in his Topper stayed in control to win line honours and on corrected time ahead of Tim Stoneman in a Mirror.

As in the slow division there was all to race for with John Murrell and Evie Oliver, National 12, Martin Watt in his Phantom and Chris Roswell and crew (Enterprise) all in the top three places, the Enterprise was first over the line but was quickly followed by the Phantom and National 12. The Phantom needed to be well in the lead to win and came home first but on corrected time the Phantom and the National 12 came joint first with the Enterprise coming third.

With Phil Hooper/Mike Laser 9735 already having won the Regatta the fight was on for second and third place, Chris Hampe and crew (B10420) were first over the line and stayed their for the entire race. The Lasers behind him were jockeying for position with Peter Raymond-Jones and Liz (8540), Tom Derham and Paul (no number) and Phil Harrison and Alison (Y10420) all changing places.

Tom and Paul were unlucky when assuming there was going to be a strong gust put all their weight over to one side and promptly capsized when the gust didn't appear. 1st Chris hampe (B10420), 2nd Phil Hooper (9735) and 3rd Peter Raymond-Jones (8540).

The presentation at the end of the Regatta was well attended with the largest round of applause going to Sam Phillips (Topper) who had such a successful weekend.

Overall results: Lasers II's: 1st Phil Hooper (9735) 2 pts; 2nd Tom Derham (no number) 5 pts; 3rd Peter Raymond-Jones (8540) 6 pts.

Medium Handicap: 1st John Murrell (National 12) 2 pts; 2nd Martin Watts (Phantom) 2 pts; 3rd Chris Roswell (Enterprise) 5 pts.

Slow Handicap: 1st Sam Phillips (Topper) 2 pts; 2nd Samantha Martin (Firefly) 4 pts; 3rd Peter Hooper (Mirror) 4 pts.

Saltash Sailing Club started it's first race in the Second Thursday Series with westerly winds force 3/4. IRC, PYB & PYA were all sent on the same course to Bridges Brunel Green, Camels Head, Antony Passage, Bridges and back to Antony Bridges.

In PYA Chancer (Martin Watts) was first over the line but was closely followed by Confucius (Dave Oliver). With winds that suited Confucius she stayed in front but was closely followed by Jabberwocky (Brian Cann) and Evening Storm (Bill Brimble). Confucius crossed the line first followed by Evening Storm and Revihan (Mike Anning), but on corrected time Evening Storm were first, Confucius second and Parabellum (Colin Higman) third).

In PYB Flasher, (Tony Woodhouse), crossed the line first, with Miranda (Russell Curry) following. The course was shortened so they didn't have to go back to Antony Passage. Flasher won on handicap and corrected time, Evisa from Tamar River came in second with Fille Breton (John Smellie) coming third, but with corrected time Evisa was relegated to third behind Fille Breton.

Hello (Gerry Smith) had a good start and was first over the line in IRC with Hydrodjinn (Frank Ellwood) not far behind. Judicious (John & Nina Lillie) tried to pull away after rounding Bridges but couldn't shake hydrodjinn who were on top form tonight and stayed in touch all evening.

Judicious crossed the line for line honours with Firestorm Too (Paul Radgick) second and Hydrodjinn third, but on corrected time Hydrodjinn came second behind Judicious by three seconds with Hello coming third.

Overall results - IRC: 1st Judicious (John & Nina Lillie); 2nd Hydrodjinn (Frank Ellwood); 3rd Hello (Gerry Smith)

PYA: 1st Evening Storm (Bill Brimble); 2nd Confucius (Dave Oliver); 3rd Parabellum (Colin Higman)

PYB: 1st Flasher (Tony Woodhouse); 2nd Fille Breton (John Smellie); 3rd Evisa (?).

Ideal Conditions and the Red Arrows

SUPERB sailing conditions greeted the participants in the annual Torpoint Mosquito Sailing Club Dinghy Regatta held last weekend, with entrants enjoying fine weather and good winds. It has proved to be a popular event and this year was sponsored by Hightide Catering. Four classes, Laser Standards, Laser Radials, Mirrors and a Handicap fleet sailed over two days, on courses set both in the Tamar and in the Sound. Simultaneously, a Hornet Open meeting, sponsored by Autogas Plymouth took place, for which competitors travelled from as far afield as Essex. Between the two days of racing, competitors had the chance to socialise to the sounds of Easy Jazz on the Saturday evening in the Clubhouse.

Fierce competition over the five races saw the leader board change on almost an hourly basis, although not all eyes were on the water. One visitor asked a committee member if the club had the Red Arrows down on a regular basis! With a twinkle in the members eye, the reply was that we could only manage it for one day rather than both. Whether anyone later told the visitor of the air display over the Hoe is not recorded. Particularly pleasing was the Mirror Class, in which many of the junior members of the club competed. Clearly the training programme laid on bY T.M.S.C. has paid off with the increased proficiency shown by these young sailors. The winning helm, James Ogilvie might have had wise words said to him - his crew was Alex Goss, son of Pete!

Anyone interested in sailing at Torpoint should contact the Club Secretary, Peter jones at Torpoint Mosquito Sailing Club.

Results - TMSC Regatta 2001 - Laser Radial - 166513, 161423, 168725.

Laser Standard - 171865, 159431, 162803.

Hornet Open - 2141, 2160, 2161.

Mirror - 24000, 38833, 27384.

Handicap - Enterprise - 9283, Enterprise 6181, Lightning 245.

Tuesday was the last race in Series One. In Division 2A there was everything to race for between the two main contenders, Cathy - helmed by Joe Snawdon and Dogs Jorrocks - helmed by Steve Wassell. It was a great spectator event, with both yachts fighting it out to the last buoy. With a variable wind and flooding tide, the positions changed frequently. Dogs Jorrocks was the eventual winner on handicap by 58 secs and also winning the series.

In 2B, a similar race was fought although Florence helmed by Pete Cooper crossed the line first, Ladybird, helmed by Denis Saunders, won on handicap.

Sunday June 17th sees the Pursuit Race sponsored by South West Yacht Brokers Group and Tuesday June 19th is the Ladies Helm.

Results - Class B PYS - Ladybird, Florence, Crisp. Class A PYS - Dogs Jorrocks, Cathy, Krackerjack.