With a low water spring tide, race officer Peter Cook had few course-setting options, so it was fortunate that the light south westerly breeze allowed for a good opening beat to Blackstone, sailed on slack water.

However, when the tide changed during the race, the weight of the wind decreased, presenting difficult routing decisions for more than 50 boats competing in the sixth race of the Salcombe Yacht Club Summer Series.

Martin and Tom Ley in their Mirror sailed a good race to remain sufficiently in touch to take the junior handicap victory from the RS Quba of Ruari McColl and Sophie Bearblock and the Topper of George Alexander.

For the faster classes the tide came into play and after two laps all of the fleets struggled to make progress against the increasing flood tide. Those who chose to finish on the town side from Crossways made considerable gains.

Phil Howling led the medium handicap fleet home in an SYC RS Vision, with Coleen Pope's Laser Radial holding on to a comfortable second from the RS Aero 7 of Claire Booth.

With a healthy mix of National 12s, Merlin Rockets and RS 400s now turning out on a regular basis, the fast handicap fleet is gaining momentum. It was therefore good to see Nigel and Sarah Blazeby wipe the dust off their National 12 to take some notable scalps and win their fast handicap race.

With 26 Solos on the starting line, the race officer was always going to have his work cut out to maintain order. After the starting gun there was a second hoot and Flag X was raised, but largely ignored.

First away was Peter Hammond, who revels in these lighter conditions. Phil King escaped a port and starboard hiatus on the Portlemouth shore and these two were to take control of the race, with Andrew Thompson and Simon Dobson in pursuit. The competitiveness of the chasing pack was such that the leading four were allowed to get away.

The aforementioned Crossways mark then came into play, with Hammond and Dobson taking the Portlemouth shore, and King and Thompson the Salcombe shore.

Salcombe won out, and to add insult to injury, there was silence as Ham­mond crossed the line, taking penance for his early start.

Graham and Tessa Pike made a welcome appearance in the Yawl fleet, and were making the running in the early stages of the race. However, light and sniddly is how the Brid­gers like it, and they pulled through to take the win with the classic yawl of Peter Stratton and Nigel Han­naford in their wake.

Results

Junior Handicap

1 Mirror 70390

Martin and Tom Ley,

2 RS Quba Sport 4

Ruari McCol and Sophie Bearblock,

3 Topper 46721

George Alexander

Medium Handicap

1 RS Vision 2

Phil Howling,

2 Laser Radial 201476

Coleen Pope,

3 RS Aero 7 1517

Claire Booth

Fast Handicap

1 National 12 3439

Nigel and

Sarah Blazeby,

2 National 12 3526

Christian and Sophie Day,

3 Merlin Rocket 3725

Andrew and Oli Squire

Solo

1 Solo 5568

Phil King,

2 Solo 5096

Andrew Thompson,

3 Solo 5313

Simon Dobson

Salcombe Yawl

1 Yawl 159 Dan

and Gail Bridger,

2 Yawl 154

Graham and

Tessa Pike,

3 Yawl 161

Peter Stratton and Nigel Hannaford