Spring Series, Race 3 - Solo Fleet

Published 11:11 on 23 Mar 2026

A small Solo contingent (three) are languishing in the colonies so Solo numbers were slightly down this week. We are never short on quality though; nine boats made it to the start line on a sublime Salcombe spring day. 

We were confronted by a light north easterly breeze and it being spring tide low, not much water. Nevertheless, the conditions did allow a simple windward/leeward course between Mark 3 off Scoble Point, Crossways and Mark 1 Blackstone. Thank you to AJ and team for this.

Against the last of the brisk ebb the fleet got away cleanly, all that, is except for Cleaves who must have been asleep at the gun. Mark Watermelon made the best of the conditions and aced the first beat though at least six boats were in contention for the ensuing run. Watercloset maintained a narrow lead at the leeward mark edging variously, Will Henderson, Yotter Yates, and Malcolm Mackley.

We all enjoyed an expansive beat back to Mark 3 with shifts in play. Waterworks, sailing well, was attacked strongly by Yates and Robin Hodges. 

The second lap was a broad repetition of the first with at least six boats in direct contention for the lead. Waterbutt remained well up throughout. Though there was scope, he did not fluff his lines badly. His trusty pink Solo named: I said blue! was well on the pace. Well on indeed.

The final lap consisted of a run to Mark 2 off Millbay after which Will Henderson, who had not meaningfully led the race at any point, nosed in front and took the win. Waterfeature: second, Robin Hodges third, Yotter fourth, Cranford Smith fifth. 

Cleaves brought all his prodigious skills to bear, to be a faint seventh. Extremely amusing. 

 

GCS, Solo 6099 | Photos Lucy Burn