Sailing update

The penultimate race of the first series at Saltash Sailing Club was greeted with overcast skies and rain on Thursday last and although the rain did a good job of dampening everything else, it didn't dampen the spirits of the crews on the 29 boats that took to the water.

The wind was southerly under the Tamar bridge but veered to south south-westerly up the Lynher, force 3-4 gusting five at times. The course of IRC and PYA was I G (Beggar's Island, Brunel Green) and for PYB was L X (Lynher, Laid Mark just south of the bridge). The IRC and PYB races both had clean starts but in PYA, Mr Shifter (Marcus Anderson), Enigma of Tamar (Dave Shawcross) and Jabberwocky (Brian Cann) were all over the line and had to recross. Despite this, Jabberwocky still had a very good race, crossing the line well ahead of the rest of the PYA fleet to win by nearly one minute on corrected time, from Evening Storm (Bill Brimble) in second place and Hello (Gary Smith) in third.

In The IRC race, Firestorm Too (Paul Radgick) had the best start off the line and by the time they crossed the finish line they had built up a commanding lead of some six minutes which gave them another win on corrected time with Shara of York (Peter Noakes) in second place and Red October (Stephen Hills) in third. In the PYB race, the fleet was lead for the majority of the course by two boats, Rough Diamond (Dave Moore) and Spellbound (John Hearl).

These two battled it out bot for boat until the last leg between Lynher and the finish line when Enigma (Gordon Phypers) managed to overhaul Spellbound to place himself between the two boats crossing the line only eight seconds behind Rough Diamond. The position was enough for Enigma to steal first place from Rough Diamond by 17 seconds with Spellbound in third place.

The club are using next week's race to take part in the Macmillan Miles Challenge, sponsored by NEXT. The aim of the challenge is to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Relief by travelling as many miles as possible under any form of transport they desire.

There was a very good turnout for this years Saltash Sailing Club Yacht Regatta with eleven out of the total 31 boats that took part coming from outside the club. The Saturday was greeted with warm sunshine and good winds and because of dinghy racing also going on inside the breakwater, the course was set mainly outside the breakwater to avoid any disruptions to either race. In the evening, the club held their by now traditional regatta barbeque which was enjoyed by all.

Unfortunately by the Sunday the wind had dropped and although the first race was due to start at just after 10 o'clock things had to be postponed until both the wind picked up and the very strong spring tide eased off. Racing resumed in the early afternoon with two races held back to make up the three races needed. The winners of the four classes were:- IRCA - Richardson SEAT (Richard Bickford), IRCB - Red October (Stephen Hills), PYA - Inky Paper (Trevor Bardwell-Jones) and PYB - Mint Julep II (Dave Morriss).

Results - Regatta Saturday May 15 - IRC A + B - 1, Richardson's SEAT (Richard Bickford); 2, Shara of York (Peter Noakes); 3, Red October (Steven Hills).

PY A - Inky Paper (Trevor Bardwell Jones); Kaliko (John Veale); Four Mates (Paul Allen).

PYB - Mint Julep II; Spellbound (John Head); Delta Lady (Mike Gaved).

Sunday - IRC A - Richardson SEAT (Richard Bickford); Distraction (Mark Penrose); Growder (Neville Devonport).

IRC B - Red October (Steven Hills); Share of York (Peter Noakes); Judicious (John and Nina Lillie).

PY A - Inky Paper (Trevor Bardwell Jones); Jabberwocky (Brian Cann); Kaliko (John Veale).

PY B - Mint Julep II (Dave Morriss); Nein Nein Fraulein (Paul Ormsby).

Thursday - IRC A + B - Firestorm Too (Paul Radgick); Share of York (Peter Noakes); Red October (Steven Hills).

PYA - Jabberwocky (Brian CAnn); Evewning Storm (Bill Brimble); Hello (Gerry Smith).

PYB - Enigma (Gordon Phypers); Rough Diamond (Dave Moore); Spellbound (John Hearl).

In challenging gusts and an incoming spring tide made for an eventful May evening for TORPOINT Mosquito Sailing Club. The faster yachts prevailed with Duke N'Jybe showing how it was done.

All yachts started south to sail around Plymouth sound.

Result - Tuesday series - Div 2A, 1, Duke N'Jybe, 2, Cathy; 3, Dogs Jorrocks.

Div 2B - Pencirrus; Sweet Pea; Crisp.

Looe Sailing Club hosted their annuall open meeting last Sunday with the largest number of visiting boats for several years coming from as far afield as Dorset and South Wales.

The morning race was cancelled due to a complete lack of wind, however two races were possible in the afternoon in light conditions.

The Mirror class who were contesting the meeting as part of the South West Treveller Series produced the largest fleet. Worthy winners were T Cload and D Hollett from Plym who won both races.

Laser honours stayed in Looe with Gareth Shaw gaining a first and second for an overall first place.

Other winners were National 12, J Miclar from Bristol. Redwing Roger Hocking and Medley Martin from Looe. Enterprise, Richard Havill and Kate Havill from Parkstone and Laser Radial - Simon Fox from Cawsand Bay.

Thanks go to race officer Barry Darlington and his team of helpers on the water and Beach Master Nick Soady on the Sea Front for making the day a success.