Sailing- Heavens descend on Saltash sailors

It had looked as though the weather was going to be kind for Saltash Sailing Club's Thursday night Ladies' helm, but alas for the ladies it was not to be. Although it was reasonably bright earlier on in the day, by the late afternoon the clouds had descended to leave a gloomy, showery outlook. To add to this, the wind which had been quite blustery earlier had become a south, south-westerly, force nil to one. With a strong falling tide, this was to make for, to say the last, a challenging evening in one way or another.

The starts for PYA and PYB were both clean although in the IRc start, Judicious (Nina Lillie), Red October (Corinne Ashcroft) and Hydrojinn (Tamsin Ellwood) were all over the line. Judicious and Red October redressed but Tamsin decided that although she would not win she preferred to be at the front of the fleet and then retire gracefully at the end.

Although there was only a little wind at the start of the race, good progress was made up the first two marks by all classes. The journey back up the river, however, proved more problematic. Most boats opted to keep out of the outgoing tide by sailing up the lee shore, but a few boats decided to cross to the other side. Unfortunately for most of these boats, there was no logic in the wind and the boats on the lee shore made by far the best progress before the wind died to nothing. Many boats found themselves at this point going backwards with the tide and it was not long before several boats decided it would be better to retire and head for the bar!

Those that did manage to make it up the rover and around the third mark were able to finish the race but by this time, the heavens had descended in an almighty downpour along with some spectacular flashes of lightening. Because of the lightening the race officers were unable to use the computer to calculate the race results and therefore all results below are very provisional.

Results (IRC): 1- Richardson Seat (Katie Barlow); 2- Red October (Corinne Ashcroft); 3- Confucius (Sylvia Palmer).

Results (PYA): 1- Joburg (Sarah White); 2- Enigma (Pauline James); 3- Nein Nein Faulein (Judith Ormsby).

Results (PYB): 1- Four Mates (Trina Matthews); 2- Chancer; 3- Re-entry (Carol Jones).

Because tonight was exactly 100 years ago to the day after the very first race at Saltash Sailing Club, every boat that raced in the first series was presented by Nina Lillie, Commodore, with an engraved wine glass.

For those expecting a pleasant summer's evening racing on Tuesday, the 13 Torpoint Mosquito crews must have been sadly disappointed. Greeting them was a wet and squally north-easterly.

In Division Two A, 'Dogs Jorrocks' had the best start and was first at Ferry Mark followed closely by 'Nettle', 'Cathy' after having started over the line had gone back to re-cross the line first and win on handicap. Division Two B had five starters with 'Pen Cirrus' dominating the race from the start. 'Crisp' was the only boat trying hard enough to catch 'Penlirrus' by flying their spinnaker but resulting in a spectacular broach but still managed second place behind 'Pen Cirrus with 'Sweet Pea' in third place. Sponsored by Sellors Marine Insulation results were - Tuesday series race nine - Class 2A - Cathy (J Snawden); Echo (J Fisher); Nettie (R Richmond). 2B - Pencirrus (R Smith); Crisp (M Swain); Sweet Pea (B mallet).