Autumn Series Race 2 - Solo

Published 16:55 on 13 Sep 2026

On a very shifty Force 2 to 4 breeze out of the southern quadrant, Race Office Tim Law set and reset the course for nine Solo Sailors, eventually displaying 17131X at the Watch House balcony.

Simon Dobson, returning from Salcombe Yawl duties, made the best of the first beat, rounding Blackstone first and extended his lead as a group of pursuers fought it out along the Portlemouth shore.

By Snapes Point, David Greening and Simon Yates had pulled clear of the pack into second and third places, to enjoy flat out planing reaches to and back from Gerston.

Returning back into the harbour, Dobson and Yates pulled clear for their own private race, eventually finishing in that order, whilst Roger Guess pulled past Greening on the shifty beat back to Blackstone, though to no avail having memorised a previously displayed course and rounding mark X with conviction.

Greening then back into third was overhauled at the final rounding of Blackstone by Chris Turns sailing his new boat, who moved up into third, but on the final round, Graham Cranford-Smith and Simon Ballantine worked through to snatch third and fourth places at the finishing line.

By David Greening | Photos L.Burn