Winter Series Race 1 - Solo
Published 19:35 on 28 Oct 2024
With a light south easterly breeze and a flood tide the town side of the harbour was favoured by all but one of the sixteen strong Solo Fleet in the opening race of the Salcombe Yacht Club Winter Series.
Graham Cranford-Smith secured pole position tacking out on starboard from under the Watch House balcony, however the trip to the starboard handed X mark required a diversion into Crab Pots, never a happy place, which allowed Will Henderson to lead Simon Dobson around the mark.
The trip through the harbour saw Henderson sail into a hole off the Fuel Barge, allowing Dobson to realise the error and find more pressure off Snapes, enabling him to build a sufficient lead by the Gerston, that he was never to be challenged.
On the beat back from Gerston the pack was to be reshuffled. Henderson managed to keep hold of second place, but James Greenhill pulled through from 6th to 3rd by crossing inside of Saltstone, whilst Tim Fells pulled past David Greening and Robin Hodges to secure 4th place.
Upon the fleets return to the harbour, Race Officer Chris Cleaves shortened the course, allowing Dobson to take the win from Will Henderson.
By David Greening
Library Photos