YW Dayboats at the 2023 Salcombe Town Regatta

Salcombe Town Regatta 2023 © Simon Bullingham

Salcombe Town Regatta 2023 © Simon Bullingham

Twelve YW Dayboats enjoyed a fantastic regatta as part of the Salcombe Town Regatta. Salcombe Yacht Club kindly gave the YWDB fleet its own start. The majority of the boats gave crewing opportunities throughout the week to 18 youth sailors (there was a spreadsheet!) who did really well in tricky wind and tide conditions.

The first race saw Peter Hewitt crewed by Mark Bullingham, resume his usual position at the front of the fleet closely followed by Nicholas and Jennifer Crang and Colin Blewett with Chrissy Campbell. The race was a good tussle with many place changes throughout the fleet. Georgina Bullingham with sister-in-law Rachael crewing, in her first race in a YWDB as helm, finished ahead of former national champion James Hewitt and more significantly her husband!

A tricky start to Race 2 with a gusty westerly breeze and a windward mark at Blackstone. Simon Bullingham had an amazing start, only to go back following a recall - which turned out to be for Dave Allen who was judged to be just over. There were again several changes in position throughout the race and the fleet. At the final mark at Crossways, Peter Hewitt and Andy Hewitt, Colin Blewett and Chrissy Campbell arrived shortly followed by Simon and Natalia Bullingham. On the final leg, James Hewitt with Beau Perry and Jon "Robbo" Gent with Hugh Straker managed to sneak ahead leaving the finishing positions Colin Blewett 1st, Pete Hewitt 2nd and Robbo 3rd and James Hewitt 4th.

Racing on Wednesday was cancelled due to strong winds. Many thanks to the race committee for making a very sensible early call on this. This ensured the crews could plan for a day off and after an excellent fleet dinner in SYC. This was particularly welcome to some!

In race 3 the in-form Mike Hewitt and Geneveive Bullingham managed to get clear away in very tricky conditions with a lot of ebb tide and a flukey North Westerly breeze. They finished first and were closely followed by Robbo and Freddie Gent 2nd and Matt and Cora Straker 3rd. Simon Bullingham and Zanna Gent finishing just behind in 4th.

The final race formed part of the slow handicap. Again, a strong Ebb tide and a flukey North Westerly breeze meant that getting away at the start was crucial. Andy and Max Hewitt finished just ahead of Mike and Henry Hewitt 2nd and Nick and Jennifer Crang 3rd.

With a cancelled race on the Wednesday meaning there were no discards Peter Hewitt was overall winner with 8 points. Jon "Robbo" Gent second on 11 points and Colin Blewitt third on 14 points. The fact that Mike Hewitt (fifth) and Matt Straker (sixth) were also both on 14 points demonstrates how close the racing was.

Salcombe Town Regatta 2023 - photo © Simon Bullingham

Whilst Salcombe town regatta is a very competitive event it has a lovely, fun, relaxed feel about it. The YWDB crew fully entered into the carnival atmosphere with the some great karaoke, some brutal greasy pole action and a memorable performance by Stan in the ice cream eating competition.

Many thanks to Ian "Scud" Stewart and his team for putting on a fantastic event in very tricky conditions and raising a good sum of money for charity in the process. Thanks also to all the staff at Salcombe YC for putting on a great fun regatta and in particular those who made the SYC dinner such a memorable event. Thanks also to the Salcombe Brewery Co. for sponsoring the SYC welcome evening.

Overall Results: