Salcombe Gin Regatta - Gold Fleet Yawl Report
Published 13:09 on 9 Aug 2026
Overall, 14 boats competed in the mornings regatta Gold Fleet, with competitive but relaxed racing the perfect environment for both young and old.
The Fleet was dominated by the rising talent of young sailors Emily Hoar and Frankie Burn in Y170, winning 4 out of 6 races. If they hadn't taken the scenic route to Mill Bay on the final leg of the first race, going via Blackstone, it would have been 5 - remembering the course being the one skill they have yet to fully master.
As it was, the first two races were won by Rob Adams in Y141 sailing with two of his grandchildren, Billy & Hugo. Sadly, early success proved a false dawn as a succession of equipment failures meant they subsequently slipped down the order. Still, Billy & Hugos non-stop chat provided Rob with a continuous source of amusement and welcome distraction from the business of sailing.
This left the door open for James & Christine Le Coulliard in Y188 to take second place overall, getting faster and faster throughout the week. Although relatively new to Yawl sailing, they clearly know one end of a boat from the other and will be a force to be reckoned with in the future.
In third place were Peter Andrews and Roger Odell in Y84, the most consistent of the Blue boats.
Honourable mention should also go to Nick & Vanessa Lowe sailing in disguise in Y22 with sails borrowed from Y40 who finished in 4th, narrowly missing out on the podium.
Another honourable mention should also go to Steve King and Julliet Howard in Y140 who soldiered on cheerfully throughout the week despite being in a boat that leaked like a sieve.
By Mark Alexander | Photos Lucy Burn
