Short Handicap Fleet is strong!

Published 10:25 on 20 Jun 2025

The Sailing Club Series Short Handicap finished recently with Charlotte Simmonds winning in impressive form. It has been a delight to see Charlotte develop from the Cadets, to racing in the Sail GP Regatta in Plymouth crewing with Edward Alexander in a Club Feva,  to Club racing then joining the local Topper Training and on to the SW Traveller Circuit and competing at the Nationals. Now Charlotte is in the ILCA youth Development Squad and when you see her sailing her Laser her ergonomic sailing style is a joy to see. The short Handicap fleet is buoyant and Emily Hoar, Jane Walker, Greg Hoar & Ivy Hart have joined Charlotte in many gutsy top of the podium performances as the challenging Salcombe conditions have continued to deliver this year. 

Well done to Edward Alexander & Andrew Groves who kept the Laser fleet going in previous years. when they sail now have great competition. And thanks to Tim Law for sharing skills & Mike Hicks who provide inspiration and fly the SYC Flag on the ILCA World Stage.

We would like to encourage a Short Handicap scribe to keep us up to date of the Club racing. Perhaps you could all take your turn?

The Short Handicap has seen exponential growth in numbers since a band of Ladies that Launch bought their own boats and started Club racing regularly. They are the proof we need that, age is no barrier to learning new skills. The LTLs started racing in the Club Toppers (In LTL short races, then Club racing, then Regattas) and had their first opportunity to sail a Laser in one of our two Club Lasers. The buoys joined us on Thursday mornings too and gradually we have more people wanting to start racing. Allan Willcox rediscovered his love of sailing on Thursdays, bought a boat and is always smiling as he gains in confidence each week. We welcome the two Pauls who have joined the Club racing fleet in their own boats this year. Thanks to Suzy Andrews enthusiasm a core group keep supporting one another and their passion for the sport is exciting. So if you want to join us and have a go do get in touch and come sailing.

Thank you to everyone who supports our 200 Club whose funds go towards our Club Fleet. These boats really do help us to encourage people to sail.