Solo Open Meeting 2024
Published 09:33 on 30 Jun 2024
Idyllic Solo Sailing on River Teign
Teign Corinthian YC hosted the Solo Open Meeting, part of the Solo Western Area Series, at Coombe Cellars on Saturday 29th June. Many folk were dubious any sailing would take place as a very light south easterly was forecast. In the event a lovely sea breeze built and with 11knots coming up the River Teign we got the fleet of 15 boats cleanly off the start line for the first of three races. In fact all 3 races got underway without the race officer having to resort to black flags!

The conditions obviously suited Chris Meredith of Chew Valley SC as he led from start to finish in race 1. Must have been a refreshing change for Chris as Chew Valley is plagued with blue-green algae in these warm summer days. Race Officer and Commodore of TCYC, Steve Pocock, was keen to award a champagne moment prize and he didn't have long to wait as local sailor Richard Bryant provided the perfect capsize going upwind to the very first mark of the very first race! Despite local knowledge, the two closest rivals to Chris were Gary Molton and Malcolm Davies who had a tussle for second and third with last year's winner, Charlie Nunn of Torpoint Mosquito SC coming home 4th after an unusually slow start.
After lengthening the course slightly windward mark further to windward by 50 metres, wing mark dropped back 50 metres and leeward mark 100 metres we got Race 2 got underway promptly. Our very own local sailor Owen Martin led the race through laps one and two, indeed extending his lead on the second lap. But Chris Meredith came through on the third lap to claim his second win of the day, Owen in second and Charlie in third.
You always keep your fingers crossed on the committee starting boat that the wind will stay true and steady. With just one minute to go until the start of race 3, the wind which had been regularly switching left and right, decided to make a hard right turn leaving us no choice but to abort the start with the obligatory 2 hoots on the horn and postponement flag flying. With our mark laying team about to lift all buoys and rotate the course the wind then decides it liked it's original setting and came back to the left. Quickly taking advantage of this the third race was again got away cleanly. This time round saw other local TCYC sailors come to the fore with Malcolm Davies taking the win from Gary and Starcross YC sailor, Spod Olive taking third spot. Whilst not able to make his local knowledge really stick, James Stevenson, moved up the last beat from 9th to 4th by clinging to the south shore of the river. He did however, ensure he won the first wooden boat prize when he finished 7th in race 3. Also in the prizes was Maddie Farmer taking the first lady prize for TCYC.

Prize Winners L-R: James Stevenson, Charlie Nunn, Chris Meredith, Gary Molton and Maddie Farmer
Running such events always requires a team of club volunteers looking after registration, results, galley for the all-important refreshments before and after racing, not to mention the crewing of the safety boats so a huge thanks to all those members. Thanks also to the event sponsors: Dinghy Shack and GOAT for their support and prizes.
Results Summary:
First | Chris Meredith, 5353, Chew Valley SC | 6pts |
Second | Gary Molton, 5893, TCYC | 9pts |
Third | Charlie Nunn, 6106, Torpoint Mosquito SC | 12pts |
1st Wood Boat | James Stevenson, 394, TCYC | |
1st Lady | Maddie Farmer, 3286, TCYC | |
Champagne Moment | Richard Bryant, 4795, TCYC |

Event Sponsors
Full Results:
Teign Corinthian Yacht Club (tcyc.org.uk)
Author: Mike Commander
Photos: Garnett Showell and Mike Commander
Full set of Garnett's photos may be seen on Flickr - follow this link click here


Owen Martin of TCYC hoping for a win in race 2

Champagne moment goes to Richard Bryant

First wooden boat James Stevenson

First Lady Maddie Farmer

Third place Charlie Nunn

Winner Chris Meredith

Second place Gary Molton

Competitors and Helpers



Last updated 16:58 on 14 July 2024