Yeti @ Stones Boatyard Yawl Open, Blue Fleet Report.
Published 19:51 on 30 May 2024
A bumper turnout for the late May Bank Holiday Open Meeting saw 18 blue-fleet Yawls take to the water.
Saturday PM
Course 7-5-7-X-3-X
F4: Ebb Tide.
Andrew Wood and Simon Tweedle in Y97 got a clear start on the Salcombe side to power away on the best breeze to Snapes, closely pursued by Y123 Robert Smith and Y138 Matt Greenhill. The chasing pack, who had bunched up at Snapes, was soon led out by Olly Turner and Chris Skelhorn in Y68, who were now leading the chase. The front three held station for the 7-5-7 loop, with Y68 closing in on the leaders as they exited The Bag. As the front two rounded Crossways, they split, with Matt and Luke Greenhill (unfortunately for them) opting for the slower Ditch End route, relinquishing their lead and handing victory to Olly and Chris, with Mark Waterhouse and Phil Magee in Y17 locking out the last podium spot in 3rd.
Sunday AM
Course 1-7-1-3-2-3
WSW F4-FF5
Ebb Tide
With the fleet clean away, Robert Smith in Y123 was first round mark 1 chased by a pack of four Y138, Y14, Y68, and Y15. The fleet compressed again at Snapes with places changing, but Y15, Y138, and Y123 managed to open up a small gap. By the turn at mark 7, Y68 had moved to 3rd and began their chase of the leading two, Y15 and Y138. With an infringement at mark 7, Y123 had to undertake penalty turns and was now out of contention. Upon exiting the bag once again, Y68 hit the front and was followed by Y138 and Y15.
The PRO decided to change the course, and instead of a second trip to Blackstone, Mark 2 was utilised to spare the fleet from the building waves and huge gusts in the mouth of the harbour.
As they rounded Millbay, Ollie and Chris Y68 were clear ahead, sailing on to their second win of the weekend. Meanwhile, there was a three-boat battle between Y138, Y15, and Y17, which continued up the final beat with Y138 besting Y17 and Y15.
Sunday PM
Course 2-7-2-3-2-3
WSW F4 F5
Ebb Tide
With the fleet clean away with a fairly even start, Y138, Y97, Y84, and Y17 set the early pace, closely followed by the pack. Y138 took the turn at mark 2, closely followed by Y17, Y68, and Y97.
Into the bag and Y68, Y138, and Y84, John McLaren pulled clear of the pack; the positions remained to the shortened finish after mark 3.
Three wins in a row for Olly and Chris in Y68, job done!. Y138 and Y84 coming home 2nd and 3rd, respectively.
Monday AM
1-4-1-3-1-3
SW-WSW F3-4
Ebb Tide
With Ollie and Chris having a well-deserved lie-in safe in the knowledge that the win was secured and Matt Greenhill Y138 sailing 3 up as he had also already secured second overall, it was only 3rd place left to play for and the main contenders Y17 Waterhouse and Y97 Wood.
The fleet got away cleanly, with only Y152 falling victim to the black flag, the race was on!. Y97 set the early pace, and as Y17 fell victim to a moored prop off Millbay, they had no choice but to retire. Although chased hard at times, once Woody and Simon rounded mark 1, they never lost their lead, sealing the race win and a well-deserved 3rd place overall.
Y15 Mike Knowles and Y19 John Smithers came home 2nd and 3rd, ending a fantastic weekend on the water.
Overall results for the weekend
1st Ollie Turner and Chris Skelhorn, Y68
2nd Matt Greenhill and Luke Greenhill, Y138
3rd Andrew Wood and Simon Tweedle, Y97
A big thank you to all who helped make this an amazing few days of sailing and, of course, Tristan from Stones Boatyard and Yeti for their generous sponsorship.
By Phil Magee, Photos by Lucy Burn. View more photos HERE
