SW2 Helford, Culdrose WSW(6pm) W(7) & WNW(8) 4-2 RYA PY SW Line start
Spotlight on Solo
Under the former site of WWII Toll Point searchlight battery the fleet assembled line astern for inspection by HRSC’s new Commodore – Julian Samuel. 18.30 sharp, Phil Samuel – a committee of one with battery of watches – started an orderly line for the beat to Central. From that point on Lasers, Solos and RS400’s paired for close racing in moderate, softening to light airs & showers.
The RS400’s swapped positions at least a half dozen times, with only a slight pause by Ollie and Ed for a handbrake turn to harvest seaweed. McD and Beccy were seen teasingly practising dry fly casting with the spinnaker lightly dapping the water. Brooks as rear gunner in Laser followed the fleet & a congenial Nick Maidwell on his first outing on the long run from Trebah to sea. Crawling under a Laser’s boom is not without risk as Nick was amply reminded when grabbed by the collar for an early bath.
Phil Philpott took early advantage from a moderate breeze to set himself ahead of Adam Mason’s Solo. Running with minimal ballast, Adam progressively eroded the gap during fading winds only to miss his prey by the time it took Phil Samuel to simultaneously twice press hooter and stopwatch. Honours accrued after 8 matches likely place Phil Philpott at or near head of the fleet. As keeper of records it is for Phil to gainsay.
| Helm | Crew | Class | Name-No. | PY | Race | Elapsed | Correct |
| Phil Philpott | Solo | 4785 | 1150 | 1 | 56.36 | 2953 | |
| Adam Mason | Solo | 4099 | 1150 | 2 | 56.38 | 2955 | |
| Roger McDonald | Beccy Kestin | RS400 | 958 | 948 | 3 | 47.10 | 2985 |
| Ollie Berryman | Ed Bolitho | RS400 | 588 | 948 | 4 | 48.01 | 3039 |
| Stephen Brooks | Laser | 179651 | 1085 | 5 | 59.26 | 3869 | |
| Nick Maidwell | Laser | 170605 | 1085 | 6 | 61.20 | 4765 |
Captain Dinghies Beccy Kestin thanks all those supporting the fleet on the day
Marshall: Phil Samuel by himself.
Safety cover: Julian Samuel & Nick Glossop
Photography: NickGlossop
PY Handicap race accounting means the fastest boats get to the bar first without necessarily winning the race A great credit to all those behind the action for selflessly putting themselves forward for duty.
