Weather Extremes for New Year Regatta
Published 20:00 on 2 Jan 2023
"In like a lion and out like a lamb" is a saying we normally associate with March but it came early for our regatta. The forecast for New Year's Eve did not look good on the run up to the end of 2022. Some had thought we should can the racing on the 30th as 40 to 50mph south westerly's were forecast. In the event the day dawned with heavy overcast skies and a blustery but sailable breeze - that is until we got to race 3 but more on that later. Ten helms turned up in 5 different classes of dinghy and Race Officer Richard Bryant set up a course that included a reaching start, a run, two beats and two broad reaches.
Race 1, the day of the lion saw Andy Collier reach to the first mark fastest closely followed by the rest of the fleet before bearing away down river on a run to the leeward mark. Mike Commander in his K1 sailed through Andy's lee to get to the leeward mark first and never looked back finishing well clear of the fleet. Two Solos sailed by Garry Molton and Paul Heather finished second and third. Race 2 and another reaching start saw Mike hit the front by the first mark but the battle behind was again between the fleet of Solos with Peter Hearne coming through to finish second and Gary third. And so to Race 3 the most eventful of the whole event, not just this first day. It started off moderately enough and a bunch of Solos got around the first mark well ahead of the faster K1, Lasers and RS200. The long run to the leeward mark was also pretty uneventful with boats spreading out across the river. Gary led from Andy and Peter and as everyone rounded the mark and started the next beat the wind strengthened and by the time we reached the first windward mark it was pretty full-on. Mike's K1 was starting to revel in the conditions and picking off the Solos one by one. Gary's Solo got to the mark first closely followed by the K1 and Andy's Solo where a huge gust flattened the K1 while Gary was struggling to control his boat while doing turns. Thereafter all helms were in full survival mode as the rain pelted down and the wind continued to build and all bar Mike and Andy capsized. Fortunately Vic Weston and Gareth Pierce were on hand in the safety boat and kept very busy, first with the capsized RS-200 of Paul Craft and Tim Flower after their main halyard broke and then with Paul Heather's Solo. Just 6 of the ten boat fleet finished with the podium filled by Mike's K1, Andy and Gary's Solos. End of day 1 saw everyone telling tales of woe and awesome sailing in equal measure.
Day 2, New Year's Day had a start time of 12 noon. Just as well as many had sore heads following celebrations seeing in the New Year of 2023. A much nicer day for sailing although the wind was now struggling to decide if it was coming from the west or the south. Overnight leader, Mike, was now Race Officer for the day and set a course to take advantage of the wind coming straight down the river. More sailors turned up for day 2, with Tim Martin and Piers Tweedie in Solos, Rob Daniel's Fireball, Andy Reynold's and Freddie Tweedies Lasers set to try their hand. As race 1 unfolded the wind decided to track very sharply to the left forcing a complete rethink and reset of the course for races 2 and 3. For the first two races Tim had it all his own way in his Solo taking two first places but race 3 was a different matter and the ever present Andy Collier eventually secured a win with Gary taking second.
Day 3, and so to the day of the lamb - it was certainly the best of the three days with wall to wall sunshine. Very picturesque seeing the reflections in the river and good for kayakers and paddle-boarders but hopeless for sailing. Our patient Race Officer, Steve Pocock, waited till after 2 o'clock before pulling the plug and abandoning all racing for the day. Shame as the sunshine brought out all the sightseers and we had a good spectating force but all to no avail.
Podium Finishers
- Mike Commander, K1 103 6pts
- Andy Collier, Solo 5944 16pts
- Gary Molton, Solo 5893 17pts
Full Results: Teign Corinthian Yacht Club : New Years Regatta 2022-23 (tcyc.org.uk)
Photos: courtesy Heather Davies
Last updated 17:31 on 12 May 2025
