SYC​ Winter Series Solo 2026 – Race 1

Published 17:44 on 3 Nov 2026

Saturday 31st October saw 10 Solo sailors come to the Salcombe Yacht Club starting line for the opening race of the Winter Series, in a variable force 3 westerly breeze on an ebb tide.

Race Officer Dan Bridger and his able assistant Gail, set a course to Yalton, back to Blackstone followed by Crossways returning to Blackstone.

At the start the fleet split with Chris Cleaves and James Greenhill starting from the East Portlemouth shore, pushing across the building ebb tide, and leading into the harbour moorings, with Tim Fells leading the contingent starting off the Salcombe shore.

There followed a chase to the entrance of Yalton Creek, with Cleaves, Greenhill, Fells and Dobson emerging as the leading group following a shifty beat.

Following the run back to Blackstone, whilst the leaders headed toward Biddle Head, Fells tacked at the mark to progress into the lead, however a capsize off the Ferry saw Cleaves, Dobson and Greenhill march on.

The crossing from Snapes to Crossways saw Cleaves consolidate his lead from Dobson and Greenhill.  But as they approached Blackstone the wind died and with the tide ebbing fast, the fleet compressed.

Cleaves was the first to round the leeward mark and managed to get a tack in and clear the mark, however the following group were less fortunate, washed down tide before being able to clear the mark, which allowed Mark Waterhouse and Tim Fells to grab the opportunity to round second and third.  This order was maintained to the finish.

D.Greening | Photos L.Burn