TCYC Autumn Dinghy Regatta and Bart's Bash 2026
Published 16:00 on 8 Sep 2026
22 sailors turned up at Coombe Cellars, Combenteignhead on the side of the River Teign to gloriously blue skies on Saturday September 5th but with little to no wind. After some head scratching Race Officer, Steve Pocock, briefed the menagerie fleet of 7 different dinghy classes hoping to get 3 all-in handicap races away during the day. We duly launched ready to set off on a short triangular course heading upriver into a variable (very variable) south westerly of zero to maybe 4 knots.
Race 1 got underway with Owen Martin's Solo nailing the start with a nifty double tack, port to starboard to port 2 seconds before the start. Rounding the windward mark the fleet spread out across the river completely blanketing Mike Commander's K1 dinghy and the whole fleet concertina'd. Going across the river the wind did a few 360o turns sometimes clockwise, sometimes anticlockwise. The Solo boys seemed unperturbed and took the first 3 places, with Chris Tilbrook taking his first win.
Day 1 of Autumn Regatta gets underway
Wilfred Summers and Felix Keegan kite flying
Race 2 was more of the same, much more of the same, and after being completely bewildered both K1's had had enough and returned ashore rocking and rolling all the way. The Solos kept smiling and once again took the first threeplaces, Chris in 1st, with Owen Martin and Paul Craft swapping their 2nd and 3rd from the first race to 3rd and 2nd in this race 2. Fiona Hedworth in her ILCA4 and Gareth Pierce in his Supernova rounding out the top 5.
Race 3 started with 10 fewer boats; other helms having been completely bamboozled from the first two races and didn't participate. Shame really because the sea breeze finally overcame the stuttering south westerly and a steady easterly settled in and built throughout the day. Those of us that stayed out were treated to some champagne sailing on a course that had been flipped on its head to take account of the 180o change in wind direction. Great work Steve. Mike Commander's K1 and the Finn of Rob Upton made the most of the new conditions and romped away on a much-shortened course as the tide was now receding and the water getting shallower. Mike finished 1st and Rob 2nd.
The afternoon was rounded off with a BYO BBQ and several families stayed to enjoy the warm sunshine and socialise over nothing in particular, except maybe moaning about the frustrating and fickle winds of the river Teign and hoping that Sunday's forecast of a moderate Easterly held true.
And so Sunday dawned and sure enough there was a decent breeze coming up the river from the east - and with the start pushed back to 12:30 to take account of the later tides and we all looked forward to a much more pleasant day's sailing. This time race officer Steve set a trapezoidal course and took time explaining the starting sequence for a 100 minute pursuit race. Sunday racing was dedicated to Bart's Bash with the clubhouse decorated accordingly.
Remembering Andrew Bart Simpson
We had more boats join us, making a total of 30 over the course of the weekend probably a record for our dinghy regatta, no doubt helped by the sublime temperatures of 25oC.First to set off was the junior pair of Felix Keegan and Wilfred Summers in one of the club's RS Feva XL's. Having demonstrated their prowess flying the spinnaker on Saturday it was clear they were going to be a force to be reckoned with on this pursuit race. If they hadn't lost their spinnaker sheets this might well have been the case but as it was the chasing boats were gifted a chance of overhauling them sooner than might otherwise have been the case. As the clock ticked down it was nip and tuck between Chris's Solo, Rob's Finn and Garry's K1 having a tacking dual up the final beat. Garry just managed to overhaul Chris and keep Rob at bay with those three being the top 3 finishers.
Battling for the win approaching 100 min finish time
Once ashore everyone indulged in a magnificent afternoon tea prepared by many of our lady members while reminiscing over past club stalwart, Tim Martin, who sadly passed away last year but also celebrating two other members, Andy Colyer and Vic Weston, who were both presented with RYA Impact Awards for their decades of service to the club. Poignant, emotional but greatly appreciated by the 60 or so who packed out our lounge area and then clapped enthusiastically as we gave out prizes, many of which were generously donated by our event sponsor, Seaquest Marine of Teignmouth.
Unveiling Red Rock painting in memory of Tim Martin
Vic Weston and Andy Colyer RYA Impact Award recipients
Back row: Mike Commander, Andy Colyer, Emilia Upton (1st youth), Rob Upton (2nd), Chris Tilbrook (Winner), Amy Cleaves (1st lady), Garry Phare (Barts Bash race winner), Paul Craft (3rd), Steve Pocock (Commodore)
Front row: Vic Weston, Wilfred Summers and Felix Keegan (1st juniors)
Last but by no means least, long standing member Charlie Tolcher, has donated a magnificent hand crafted Solo dinghy rudder assembly, complete with carbon tiller and Sea Sure fittings
We are indebted to Garnett Showell as event photographer and an album full of photos will shortlybe available at https://flickr.com/photos/h-g-sailing/albums/
Full results can be viewed on at Teign Corinthian Yacht Club but summarised here:
1st overall Chris Tilbrook, Solo 5133
2nd Rob Upton, Finn 603
3rd Paul Craft, Solo 5323
1st Junior Felix Keegan and Wilfred Summers,RS Feva XL
1st Youth Emilia Upton, ILCA 181365
1st Lady Amy Cleaves, RTYC, Europe 349
1st Bart's Bash Pursuit Garry Phare, RTYC,K1 115
Event Sponsor:
Author: Mike Commander
Photos: Mark Neild, Mike Commander, Garnett Showell
Last updated 16:05 on 8 September 2026
