Autumn Series Solo - Race 7

Published 13:41 on 19 Oct 2025

A small but select group of Salcombe Solo sailors convened in the area of the SYC Starting line on the 18th of October for the final race of the Autumn Series.  Numbers were depleted following the previous weekends successful South West Championships and with a number of regular sailors making cameo appearances in the Yawl fleet.

Although the forecast indicated 20 to 30 mph South Easterly breezes, these failed to materialise at water level, and the wind was more east than south, and with a half flood tide, the race officer, John Meadowcroft had limited course setting options, so sent the fleet into the Bag, where three loops were sailed.

Bill Jago and Simon Dobson were the first to find some breeze off the start line and built up a good break away from the pursuing pack.  Upon returning from the first trip to Gerston, Dobson dived inshore of the Lincombe Boatyard pontoon, whilst Jago went outside, this was a defining moment for Dobson who pulled out a big lead, while Jago slipped into the clutches of Chris Cleaves and Simon Yates,
At the second rounding of Gerston, Jago and Cleaves sailed high, whilst Yates headed for the less tidal leeward shore, which allowed him to move into second place, ahead of Jago and Cleaves.

The Race Officer wisely finished the race at Crossways, sparing the fleet the vagaries of the wind in the Harbour, with Dobson taking a comfortable win from Yates and then Jago.
Chris Cleaves won the Autumn series from Simon Yates and Simon Dobson.

By David Greening

Photos Lucy Burn