NSCA Western Series 2025 Final Report

The Western Series is now complete with the final event last weekend, 11^th/12^th October at glorious Salcombe, the Western Champs and End of Series.  As you might recall this event included the re-arranged Western Champs after the event at Starcross earlier in the year was cancelled due to forecast high winds as one of those very disruptive storms blew through.  A feature of 2025 and always at the weekend also causing the cancellation of the South Cerney Open and providing some very challenging conditions at Torpoint Mosquito and Porthpean earlier in the year.  Let’s hope 2026 doesn’t go the same way.

The loss of the South Cerney Open meant that the Western Series might end up with only 2 qualifiers, especially if Salcombe had been cancelled as other events around the country had been due to no wind.  But fortunately, the wind gods helped and even though lighter on Saturday the wind was good and allowed some great racing, even in the fluky tidal conditions that rips down the channel and makes Salcombe what it is, very frustrating with lots of if only’s. Last week was a desperate time trying to wind up visitors to attend, helped by the cancellation of the Midlands Champs and the 4 that travelled from Shustoke, 1 from Bough Beach, Hawley SC, Hunts SC, South Cerney SC, Torpoint Mosquito and Dave Winder, travelling 8hr, to complete a total of 11 visitors of 31 entries.  Just shows how strong the Salcombe fleet is.  But the Western Series results could all change if Mike Dray, Hawley SC, was willing to attend, and we need to thank his wife for insisting he did. 

For a pondie Mike sailed Salcombe well on Saturday to put himself in 12^th position, but he needed an 8^th or better to overhaul the series leader at the time Steve Roberts, Torpoint Mosquito SC, who only attended Salcombe because Mike did and try and defend his position. 

Mike Dray, Determined - courtesy Will Loy

But on Sunday Mike was determined and sailed really well with a 4^th and 7^th, great results considering those sailing, and promoting himself to 6^th overall and taking the Western Series Champion title for 2025 by 2 point.

Mike Dray, Leading - courtesy Will Loy

Steve Roberts finished in 2^nd place overall with Andrew Bownes, Barnt Green SC, who could not attend with a back injury, in 3^rd place.  The final qualifier of the 4 this year is me, Vernon Perkins, South Cerney SC in 4^th place.

Western Series winners from left to right 4th, 2nd and 1st, Andrew sadly absent

We need to first thank our sponsors for supporting our events, Dinghy Shack and P&B.  P&B have been fantastic this year in supporting every event and providing some great prizes, particularly headgear, the Bobble Hats this weekend are fantastic, and of course lots of  discount vouchers.  But additionally, a P&B Mast Bag to the Western Series Winner, Mike Dray, and a 25% discount off a new P&B supplied Allen Mast as a raffle prize won by Steve Roberts.

We also thank all of those who competed in 2025 and the families that allowed us to do so.  Hopefully more will travel in 2026 to the series events. And not to forget Will Loy and his fantastic coverage of the Western Champs at Salcombe as well as all the other venues he visits for the NSCA throughout the year.

Note, the Western Series 2026 is already fully appointed so a huge thanks to all our 2026 venues for the prompt support.  The Welsh Champs will be at Llandegfedd SC, Pontypool, on 23^rd/24^th May and Western Champs at Chew Valley Lake SC on 20^th/21^st June.  The Open events are all booked and will be published later when all other regions have theirs appointed. But also note we have the NSCA Nationals in our region at Royal Torbay YC, Torquay, on 6/9 August with registration/scrutineering on the 5^th. So get your accommodation sorted as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Look forward to seeing you again next year.  Only the NSCA End of Season at Draycote in November then concentrate on club sailing.

Vernon Perkins – Western Area Rep

Final Result 2025