Exmoor Beastie 2024 at Wimbleball Sailing Club

Exmoor Beastie 2024 © John Culshaw

Exmoor Beastie 2024 © John Culshaw

Unusually the weather was perfect, with blue skies and fair wind, except in the notorious dam area of the lake where there was very little and shifty. The wind elsewhere was a bit gusty and variable in direction but that is entirely normal and anything else would not be Wimbleball.

The race: first away and worth a mention, starting even before the race was officially started, Lewis Ryles in his little RS Tera, got a bit lost and ended the first lap firmly in last place, but soldiered on to finish. Well done.

So, to the good and the great, it was not long before the class sailors showed their metal with a battle royal ensuing between the top three who engineered a big lead on the field. Luca Mitchell, Simon Hawkes and Peter Barton. With the clock ticking down a Wimbleball special mini gust surged Luca past Simon to snatch top spot. As well as picking up top spot - Luca also bagged the under 25 award.

Exmoor Beastie 2024 - photo © John Culshaw

Luca was sailing a RS Aero 7 as was Peter Barton in third - part of fleet of 9 Aeros on the start line. K1s, which was Mr Hawkes craft of choice had 6 entrants, the rest of the fleet made up of a wide range of dinghies, the Hornet last away having to wait 37 minutes on the line, whilst the wind eased down, that's the luck of the draw.

Exmoor Beastie 2024 - photo © John Culshaw

The Exmoor Beastie was the last in the South West Series, and whilst being pipped at the post on the day Simon Hawkes was the clear winner of the Series with a fantastic set of results.

The race was generously sponsored by Exmoor Ales who supplied some very welcome Ales for the competitors, including the eponymous Exmoor Beastie.

Exmoor Beastie 2024 - photo © John Culshaw

As ever it is the raft of volunteers who allow these events to happen, thanks to them!

Overall Results: