Sailing Club Series, Race 5 - Fast Handicap

Published 10:49 on 19 May 2025

More sun, more easterlies, and more loops of the harbour Groundhog Day! However, RO Mike Hodges offered some welcome respite from the recent monotony that has plagued SYC dinghy sailors, with a trip to Gerston displayed from The Watch House. The course was 3-7-1-3-1.

John Meadowcroft, sailing his Merlin Rocket with crew Nicky Bass, misjudged the time available for their practice beat and left it a bit late getting back for the start.

As the fleet of eight Yawls, an Albacore, and the 505 got their race underway, the Merlin had to weave its way through the bunch to return to the line and exonerate themselves.

Despite their tardy start, there was no stopping John and Nicky. They effortlessly picked off the fleet one by one before disappearing out of sight, accompanied only by Peter Colclough and Alistair Morley in the 505. This pair had a commanding lead, but they hadnt checked the course and, thinking one trip to Blackstone was enough, mistakenly headed for Mill Bay on the second loop. Realising their error too late, they continued on to Batson.

John and Nickys performance was more than enough to claim 1st place on corrected time, leaving the Yawls and the Albacore to fight it out for the minor placings.

Andrew and Sheila Squire, sailing the Albacore, were unable to break clear from the grip of the Yawls and fell out of podium contention.

Will and Mandy Henderson led the Yawls from the start, and as they made their way through The Bag, they had Greg and Claire Hoar in Y145 along with John and Frankie Burn in Y170 hot on their heels. It was John and Frankie who rounded Blackstone first, but the Hendersons quickly reinstated their lead and sailed on to take 2nd place.

Andrew Stirling and Peter Andrews, in their Blue Fleet Yawl, sailed very well and were fast enough on corrected time to secure the final step on the podium.

The racing amongst the Yawls was extremely close, with just one minute separating the top six boats.

By John Burn

Photos - Lucy Burn