Sailing Club Series, R6 - Short-Race Handicap

Published 09:57 on 1 Jun 2026

The heatwave was gone and we were left with a glorious Salcombe summer day; 20 degrees and a WSW F3. With an incoming tide the OOD set a course of Blackstone, Saltstone, Ferry Mark, Crossways.

The incoming tide ensured an exciting start as the 11-strong ILCA fleet vied for position in the slack water off Smalls. As the starting hooter went there was a rush for the starboard tack into shore; as usual Reynolds was quickest off the line and managed to tack onto port ahead of the pack. 

Groves, who took a quieter route starting much further out in the tide, slotted into second with Allan Willcox just behind, and the rest of the fleet calling on each other in the shallows off Smalls.

Reynolds picked up a lift off Cable Cove that saw him take a solid lead into Mill Bay. Groves had also pulled away from the pack as he chased Reynolds up the shore. Meanwhile, Ivy Hart was showing her class, stepping up to the 6 rig, as she made her way through the fleet into third. Groves opted to keep close to shore as they approached Biddlehead, whereas Reynolds opted for the cleaner wind further out. Groves sneaked around the submerged rocks and shot off into Sunny Cove as Reynolds tacked out and opted for a more direct route to the mark. The close-to-shore option was the winner as Groves took a decent lead into the downwind leg to Saltstone.

A good battle developed for second as Hart and Reynolds sailed side by side down the estuary. Meanwhile the pack rounded Blackstone and set off to chase the leaders. Someone — I'm not quite sure who, maybe Wilcox — managed a particularly spectacular capsize, boom up, which meant that on righting they went over again.

As the leaders entered The Bag, Groves stretched out a lead, rounded Saltstone and pulled away. Hart was second round and pulled out a decent gap on Reynolds.

That was where the positions stayed back to the finish line on a shortened course. The rest of the fleet was very stretched out and came in one by one with gaps between all.

The ILCA fleet is really competitive from front to back and enjoys some great battles and entertaining racing. With the Regattas to come, the season is proving to be one of the best for years.

A. Groves | Photos L. Burn