Teign Dinghy Regatta at Teign Corinthian Yacht Club
by John Davey 6 Sep 2011 11:41 BST
3-4 September 2011
James Stevenson at the Teign Dinghy Regatta © Heather Davies
Coombe Cellars, on the beautiful Teign estuary in South Devon, was the venue for some excellent sailing at the Teign Dinghy Regatta, hosted by Teign Corinthian YC, over the weekend. In a generally south-westerly breeze, which varied dramatically in direction and strength, there were conditions to suit all abilities.
Two races on the Saturday, saw James Stevenson and Hannah Showell, both in Solos, collect a win apiece in the Slow fleet. In the Cadet fleet, a Tera helmed by Rowan Weyer-Brown, age 13, won the first race and Ben Flower, age 13, in a Laser 4.7, the second.
An invasion of six Tasars from Babbacombe, Shaldon and Porthpean, gearing up for their World Championships in Torquay, raised the game in the fast fleet. Home sailors, Malcolm and Fiona Davies set the pace with a win and then a second place behind visitors Steve Mitchell and Polly Newman.
Sundays’ weather was almost a repeat of Saturday, with a light fluctuating breeze at the start then building to a force with which to be reckoned towards the end. The safety-boats were kept fully occupied.
With fifteen Solos competing, it wasn’t surprising that they dominated the slow fleet. Stevenson and Showell both won one of the three Sunday races, so with two discards, it was their less successful (relatively) results that decided Stevenson the overall winner and Showell the runner-up. Paul Tasker, a returning TCYC member, eventually found his form and won the final race.
Weyer-Brown and Flower also racked up wins on Sunday, then disaster for Flower when he had to miss a race due to a broken tiller. Weyer-Brown took the trophy. Flower was second overall and Rosie Karakusevic, age 13, who missed both the Saturday races, was third in her Tera.
In the fast fleet Team Davies won overall with a perfect three first and two second places. Second overall was Mitchell & Newman, followed by Chris Cunningham in his RS100. Nick Clarence tried to upset the order by winning the first race on day two.