Devon Yawl Nationals at Yealm Yacht Club

The fourteenth Devon Yawl National Championship was hosted by the Yealm Yacht Club over the weekend of 11-13 June. For the 28 starters, throughout the five race programme over two days in Wembury Bay conditions were nigh on perfect. There was something for everyone.

The races comprised a “triangle” and “sausage” with a finish at the windward mark. The first race on Saturday saw a good Northerly breeze at the start line with more fickle conditions towards the windward mark. After some place changing the race was won by DY184 (Andrew Hattersley and Willie Hamilton – Topsham Sailing Club) with DY102 (Mike Bennett and his son, Simon – Dittisham Sailing Club) second and DY100A (Andrew and Cathy Matthews – Yealm Yacht Club) third. The second race on Saturday saw similar conditions to the first but with fewer holes in the breeze towards the windward mark. DY12 (David Bull and his father, Adrian) took an early lead. They chose the landward right hand beat and their lead was extinguished when the breeze favoured the seaward, left, side of the course. However, DY12 eventually re-established the lead and held on to win the race with DY184 (Andrew Hattersley and Willie Hamilton – Topsham Sailing Club) second and DY105 (Neil and Suze Boot – Yealm Yacht Club) third.

During the lunch break a stiff South Westerly sea breeze set in. The third race was run in a steady breeze across the whole of the course and a fine sail was had by all. The fleet was eager for the fray and after two recalls the RO (Chris Matthews) hoisted the black flag. DY54 (Jon Pegg and Dick Page – Yealm Yacht Club) took an early and substantial lead, which was only challenged on a slow downwind leg when the front end of the fleet moved closer together. However, a clean rounding of the leeward mark saw DY54 away to first place with DY186 (Tim Petitt and Tony Callcut - Yealm Yacht Club) second and DY351 (Ed Hawkes-Williams and Tim Coombe – Topsham Sailing Club) third.

Sunday morning saw two races in a good Westerly breeze. Again, the fleet was pushing the limits at the starting signal and both races saw the black flag. A number of boats were caught out by this with considerable impact on the results. DY188 (Adam Booth and Justin Sluce – Yealm Yacht Club) was caught on both occasions and Adam has since been nicknamed “Black Flag Booth”. Both races were keenly fought with a high standard of tactical sailing evident throughout a close fleet. DY12 sailed the first race superbly and was first across the finish line but to no avail having been caught by the black flag. First place was taken by DY100 (Richard Babbage and Bruce Greig – Topsham Sailing Club) with DY102 second and DY54 third. DY100 had not had a good first day’s racing. However, adding to their success in the first race on Sunday the very close second race in a freshening breeze saw them home to a second win. They were observed sailing with considerable focus in a boat going well. Second home was DY351 and third, DY184.

The event saw a contrast in racing approach by the overall first and second boats, DY 184 and DY351. True to character, DY184 raced “by the book” in their tactical choices whilst DY351 was often seen “doing something different” in terms of course selection. As the results show, on this occasion the “by the book” approach paid off in the end.

On the whole the fleet behaved well with penalties taken as required. One protest was heard.

Overall Results:
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Overall Results: