Wrecker pursuit race at North Devon Yacht Club

Osprey 1234 on its way to win the North Devon Wrecker pursuit race (hunting down last years series winner Simon Hawkes in his K1) © Sailing Southwest

Sunday 25th October had a variable wet and breezy forecast and so it turned out. With 38 entries to the Sailing Southwest Winter Series round 1 all were getting ready for a wet one.

As the main fleet were launching a F6-7 squall came in and stayed for the first 30 minutes into the race. The first lap was exciting but soon settled into a steady 3-4 SW with an increasing breeze at the finish.

Early starters saw the RS Aero blast away in hot pursuit of Ben Flower in his Laser. Sam Mettham in an Aero 5 took an early lead but could not shake off Greg Bartlett and Peter Barton in Aero 7s and Ben in his Laser. The four swapped places as the gusts came through for the first four of six laps. Finally Greg and Peter pulled away but the faster boats were flying on big gusts.

Tony Curtis in Osprey 1234 was steadily climbing through the fleet and finally hit the front with five minutes to spare.

The catamaran fleet was headed by Jon Farr in a Dart 18 who was carving through but could not catch the leaders. A Hurricane 5.9 showed some impressive speed but giving almost 40 minutes to the Aero was no match. With the big wind for the early starters the Aero fleet was away.

Greg Bartlet takes an early lead ahead of Peter Barton and Ben Flower in the North Devon Wrecker pursuit race - photo © Sailing Southwest

Finally as the wind came back gusting a good F5 near the end the Ospreys and cats charged with Robert Warren in his RS400 showing rapid progress. As the race neared the final 15 minutes the top five were away but the next five were very close. Sam and Leanne Thompson were on a charge in their Merlin. As they approached the windward mark for the last time their mast came down leaving the field open.

Overall Osprey 1234 dominated for overall first, with Greg Bartlett holding on for second, and Peter Barton in third. Ben Flower took fourth and Jon Farr in the leading cat took fifth.

The CPMR club prize round 1 was taken by the home team with NDYC members scoring a fifth, eighth and ninth. Weymouth took a second and twelfth but also a DNC giving them 53 points with Starcross in a close third with first, seventh and DNC giving them 53 points.

Full details of the Sailing Southwest winter Series can be found at www.sailingsw.co.uk/ssw-winter-series

Thanks NDYC for an exciting opener for the series. The next event is at Roadford on 22nd November.

Ben Flower takes fourth in the North Devon Wrecker pursuit race - photo © Sailing Southwest

Overall Results: