Spring Series, Race 4 Fast Handicap
Published 11:23 on 2 Apr 2026
Course: 7-3-7-2
It was an early start for the Fast Handicap fleet on Saturday, with racing brought forward to 10am thanks to ongoing dredging work in the Harbour—nothing like a bit of industrial encouragement to get sailors out of bed.
Sunshine and a solid north-westerly greeted the competitors, making a clean getaway from the start line essential, especially with the harbour delivering its usual wind lottery.
A small but familiar fleet took to the line, featuring the same teams as last week, albeit with a couple of crew changes—fresh legs or just different people to blame.
All boats got away cleanly, which was either a sign of improving skill or everyone being too awake to mess it up.
Up the first beat.
Once around Snapes Point, the fleet settled into a lively 1520 knot beat to Gerston. Thankfully, the tide was playing nicely for once and gave everyone a helpful shove in the right direction.
John Meadowcroft, crewed by son Ollie Meadowcroft, took an early lead in their Merlin Rocket, closely chased by Fran Gifford and Frankie Burn, also in a Merlin and clearly not planning to let them have it all their own way.
Meanwhile, Greg Hoar with Simon Dawes crewing in Y145 led the trio of Yawls into the Bag—briefly enjoying that rare and fleeting feeling of being ahead—before John Burn and Ross Borne in Y170 powered past as the breeze built.
Drama at Saltstone.
Fran and Frankies charge took an unexpected pause just off Saltstone with an early-season swim—whether it was tactical or just an enthusiastic way to check the water temperature remains unclear.
This handed John and Ollie a comfortable lead, allowing them to round mark 7 first and stretch away.
Spinnakers went up on the Merlin and the 505, and they shifted into full-send mode, with boats flying and crews wearing the unmistakable expression of equal parts joy and mild panic.
Yawls battle (and one dramatic exit).
John and Ross were leading the Yawls but Greg and Simon werent done yet. A strong second beat, combined with some well-called shifts saw them edge back into the lead.
However, as John and Ross headed back from mark 7 for the second time hot on their heels, their mast decided it had seen enough racing for one day and collapsed rather decisively—an unscheduled but very effective way to retire. Game over.
The finish.
With one rival eliminated, Greg and Simon were left racing the clock, pushing hard to try and catch the Meadowcrofts on corrected time.
But it wasnt to be.
John and Ollie secured a well-earned first place on corrected time, with a comfortable buffer of nearly three minutes—impressive sailing.
Greg and Simon took second, while Peter and Alistair claimed third in the 505.
