Variable light winds and an overcast sky was the dominant feature of the afternoon racing at Salcombe Yacht Club on May 19.

The frustrating conditions and particularly doldrums in the Bag encouraged a number of crews to head for the beach for an early bath.

The boats that persevered were rewarded with a freshening north westerly breeze for the latter stages of the race from Gerston back to the finish line.

The four fleets all got away on an ebb tide and generally westerly wind to Blackstone buoy at the entrance to the harbour, but on heading back towards Kingsbridge against the tide it was tough going as the wind became fickle.

Ed Stephens in his Solo was inspirational in making for the Salcombe shore after rounding Blackstone, giving him a massive lead over the rest of the fleet, who all chose the Portlemouth shore.

Despite tricky conditions after rounding Snapes Point en route to Gerston at the Kingsbridge end of the course, he was rewarded with a massive four-minute win over the next boat in his class, which was helmed by Bill Jago.

The slow handicap fleet was dominated by six Laser Radial dinghies that enjoyed extremely close racing over two hours, with the first four boats finishing within seconds of each other.

Tom Morris was the winner followed by Kate Brooks and Colleen Pope in third place, a very fine result indeed for a relative newcomer to the sport and supporter of Ladies that Launch at the club.

The fast handicap had just four starters and was won by Peter Ballantine and Theo Harris in their National Twelve, who finished only seconds after a Merlin Rocket which, as a faster boat, would need to finish many minutes ahead to win on handicap. Jon Lewis in Y150 claimed a notable victory in the Yawls over second-placed Geoff Gilson sailing Y170 which on paper has quite a speed advantage.

To round off a challenging day Cath Kidston, marking the opening of its shop in Salcombe, presented splendid prizes to the winners in brilliant sunshine.

Cadet and Slow Handicap

1st Laser Radial 154646 Tom Morris

2nd Laser Radial 198504 Kate Brooks

3rd Laser Radial Coleen Pope

Fast Handicap

1st National Twelve 3431 Pete Ballantine and Theo Harris

2nd National Twelve 3534 Charlie Lloyd and Helen Lloyd

3rd Merlin Rocket 3616 Peter Cook and Janet Exelby

Solo 1st Solo 5306

Ed Stephens,

2nd Solo 5316 Bill Jago,

3rd Solo 5096 Andrew Thompson

Salcombe Yawl Red Fleet

1st Salcombe Yawl 170 Geof Gilson and Chris Spencer-Chapman

Salcombe Yawl Blue Fleet

1st Salcombe Yawl 150 Jon Lewis and Clare Lewis

Meanwhile the Salcombe Yacht Club Cruisers travelled to a successful rally held in Fowey.

They raced for the Eddystone Trophy on the return home.

Peter Waring in his Javelin 30 beat the Hallberg Rassy 342 of John and Claudia White on corrected time.