There was a queue of twenty boats early on Saturday morning, all hoping for a breeze before the outgoing tide got under way at Coombe Cellars.

Patience was rewarded with enough wind to make it all worthwhile. The figure of eight course gave good upwind and off wind sailing although the tidal current was always a feature especially with the recent heavy rains.

As the start was behind schedule, both fleets started together which meant some congestion on the startline. Those that had their timing right soon got into clear air and away. Typically, James Stevenson in the Solo fleet was up and away and quickly built an uncatchable lead to end victorious. John Davey finished as runner-up after pulling off an audacious manoeuvre. Paul Cunningham took third place.

Rather strangely, the Solo fleet allowed Davey demonstrate that the previous stunt was not a fluke as he went on to win the second race. Second Solo was Andy Colyer followed by Stevenson.

Amongst the Handicap sailors, the Firefly from Salcombe, crewed by Pete Cook and Janet Exelby, who are clearly used to estuary sailing, won both races. Young Jack Smith was second in his Topper in race one. Elaine and Graham Slater, from Paignton SC, were second in their Fireball in race two. An Enterprise from Dittisham SC, crewed by Sue Mortimer and Thomas Goodall, was third twice.

The competitors were frustrated on Sunday by a breeze coming downriver, which fizzled out after one slow race. As the tide gathered momentum half the Handicappers gave up to leave the Firefly crew to collect another win. In second place was the RS800 crewed by Jamie Oaten and Jamie Stevenson and Malcolm and Fiona third in their Tasar.

The Solos were shown the way round by Peter Hammond, a visitor from Salcombe, with second place a dead heat between Peter Hearne, in his brand new boat, and Nick Whyte.