Final Race, Spring Series ~ Solo Fleet

Published 08:35 on 20 Apr 2026

Following two weekends lost due to excessively high winds fifteen Salcombe Solo sailors were over keen to start the final race of the Salcombe Yacht Club Summer Series, resulting in a General Recall and a Black Flag for the restart.

With limited course setting options due to the Spring low tide, Race Officer Dan Bridger set a course to Blackstone followed by Gerston, returning to Blackstone and Crossways, in a shifty and gusty F3 to F4 West South Westerly breeze.

Series leader Chris Cleaves judged the starboard lay line perfectly to be first to round the windward mark followed by Paul Rayson and David Greening.  The leading two pulled away on a gust, whilst Greening was soon run down by the chasing pack.

Mark Sanken held to the Portlemouth shore to nudge into third place for a short while, until Will Henderson positioned himself perfectly at Snapes to pick up the fresh breeze in the Bag to pull into third.

Upon returning to the harbour, the shifty breeze shuffled the pack.  Leader Cleaves got caught port and starboard by Rayson on a big header, requiring turns to be completed and allowing Rayson to take the lead.  While third placed Henderson took a double spill, allowing Simon Yates through to third, followed by Martin Hodgson and Greening.

These positions were maintained to the shortened course finish, handing the Spring Series to Cleaves, from Henderson, with Mark Waterhouse securing third place, from twenty five competitors in the series.

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By David Greening | Photos L.Burn