Western Area Championship Report

Solo Western Championship 2025 at the Salcombe Brewery Solo Open Meeting

Western Series sponsored by P+B and Dinghyshack

Day 1

Salcombe Yacht Club hosted the final western event of the season and the 31 competitors enjoyed surprisingly mild temperatures for this late in the year.  A light easterly on Saturday gave way to a moderate breeze on Sunday, making for some fierce competition on the estuary.

The venue is dripping in Solo history, notable sailing legend Alec Stone (I shook his hand once) practically dominated the class in the 60’s-70’s and the Stone Boatyard led the way in producing Championship winning Solos well into the early 80’s, the distinctive no frills design shunning the Lovett innovation of flared gunwales and maybe mirroring the Stone philosophy of no-nonsense dinghy design.

Martin Payne, our PRO for the weekend also rates highly in my Hall of Fame, the man mountain was a feast on the eyes for the ladies, his mane of curly jet black hair framed with a moustache of some density which underlined a stare that could strike fear into anyone trying to cross him on port. Physically ‘fit’ and dripping with muscle fibre, he would bully his Gibbons built Solo ‘Edge’ through the roughest of seas to many podiums, just a shame his nemesis Geoff Carveth was born in his era.

The venue is also steeped in folklore and much has been written about its complex tidal system, the vagaries of the wind and the mystical power of ‘the bag’ but fortunately, with the breeze a bit on the light side, the PRO wisely ordered his race team to cordon off that particular tributary for the event. This would also negate the huge advantage the local sailors have although I would dispute that it would have made much difference to a few of them.

That brings me to Adrian Griffin, ‘probably’ the best Fleet captain in the World and if that title alone was based on time served then it would be indisputable. A true Ambassador for the class, he continues to draw disciples to this quintessentially British outpost and his warm educated persona and selfless tactical nouse, almost always holding back to ensure all the competitors finish safely. I would presume that there is already a freshly constructed cul-de-sac somewhere in the town which will one day be named in his honour.

The fleet assembled at Batson before launching, Martin Payne delivering a short race briefing with emphasis on avoidance of moored craft, any impact would require a penalty turn and most importantly, a written report of the cock-up which would need to be given to the harbour master. I believe Graham Cranford Smith has a template he uses regularly.

I boarded the media rib which would be expertly piloted by Jayne Morris, a handy Solo sailor with a critical understanding of Solo speed through the water, imperative for negotiating the racers without impeding them while providing me with close hand video.

The standard start line is from a watch house on the Salcombe side (left) to a transit on the Portlemouth side (right), so the full width of the estuary but with a Spring tide running out towards Ireland at 3 knots, there were a number of tactical factors in play.

The breeze was fluctuating and although two handicap fleets were released on time, a drop in pressure resulted in a short postponement, providing an opportunity for the sailors to park up on the beach for a chat and last minute pre-stretch.

Race 1

The majority of the fleet congregated on the Salcombe side, sticking close to the harbour wall to minimise the tidal influence. Dave Winder was over and went back, sailing the newest build (6140) this weekend, I understand he tests all his Winders like this before passing them on to their new owner.

Passers-by and hardened dinghy racing enthusiasts lined the area in front of the sumptuous club house, watching the dinghies with varying degrees of fascination and confusion as the fleet tacked in and out of each other and the tide, rigs oscillating with the regularity of a metronome.

Only a few were working their way up the Portlemouth side, Simon Yates, call sign ‘Yachty’ was born in a Solo and looks as young now as he did in the early 80’s, he was bow forward and would eventually cross the stronger part of the estuary and join the main group inside the top ten.

Meanwhile on the Salcombe side it was flight commander Simon (Dobbie) Dobson who had worked the shifts and obstacles with some aplomb to lead into the top mark with Tim Law and Chris (Chubby) Cleaves his wingmen. The breeze had momentarily dropped to 5 knots and though the tide had just turned, negotiation around the top mark required some extra attention. Yates, Hodgson and Fells round next but already a minute behind the leader and in most venues it would be almost insurmountable unless you were ginger and called Davenport. This though is Salcombe and with a prescribed race time of 90 minutes and more trip hazards then a staircase in a nursery, anything could happen.

The run down to the bottom mark, which must be a good 2 miles was anything but processional  as competitors sort out veins of pressure and beneficial tidal streams, Dobson still led and headed off to the protection the Salcombe side offered while Law, Fells, Cleaves and Yates took a more Portlemouth route before crossing the estuary in pursuit. The pack had gained, Fells and Law within ducking distance as they tacked in and out of the tide, the sound of scraping centreboards the trigger for a swift tack back out of the slack portion of the track. Hodgson was in fifth.

Fells took the lead just as they passed the watch house, the fleets progress and tactical choices enhanced by the arrival of the Salcombe Yawls as they cross-crossed in their own fierce competition. The crowd gathered on the harbour walls cheered and bayed as bow sprits criss-crossed like jousts, hails of starboard echoing down the harbour.

The second lap was processional, Fells, Law and Dobson holding a tight formation down the taxing run and back up the one sided beat to the finish that the Red Arrows would have been proud of, Hodgson and Yates completing the top five and a Salcombe lock-out. Special mention to Harry Marlow in 7th who, along with three other Shustoke sailors had made their way here for a bucket list event.

Fells wins R1

Race 2

The breeze had increased slightly, now registering 8 knots on my wet index finger, a good choice given my proximity to the race hut and the imposing figure of the PRO.

We repositioned ourselves away from the Salcombe side to the middle of the estuary, providing a perfect platform to video the start line and went into sequence.

Clean start and some action in the densely populated left side, Law doing turns for an incident with Mike Dray.

With a slacker tide the competitors had spread evenly down the line with Cleaves tight in to the Portlemouth side and Meadowcroft tucked in on the Salcombe side.

Solos weaved in and out of each other, water taxis and ferries while analysing wind shifts and altering sailing angle modes, when you think about it, it is a pretty complicated sport.

Oblivious to everything, Roger Guess worked the middle of the course, flicking from port to starboard with every lift of the luff, either that or, like that runner who always sprints for the first minute of the London marathon, he just wanted his moment in the spotlight. Meadowcroft was looking good up the left, his hiking style of keeping the Solo bolt upright giving him max waterline and max foil lift and he rounded first with Guess second in his battle grey Winder. Third around was Steve Bishop, a visitor from Hunts S.C. but no stranger to these waters with John Reed (Bough Beech), Marlow and Dobson completing the top six. Cleaves, Fells, Greening had work to do but Law was in fifteenth and possibly rueing his start line fracas.

The fleet worked the streaks of pressure coming down the course while factoring in the myriad of eddies which lined the shore, Meadowcroft now being pressured by Fells who had gained six positions with Dobson on his shoulder. Rigs leaned over to windward to balance C of E over C of R, kicker released and helm weight close to the centreline to minimise drag, and the centreboard raised as high as you dare.

The leaders split up the second beat, Fells and Guess going back towards Salcombe while Dobson and Meadowcroft took to the Portlemouth side, meanwhile Law was back up to eleventh with Dray keeping him company, must have been awkward.

Top mark and Dobson leads with Meadowcroft with Fells 30 seconds in arrears, Bishop and Greening and Marlow on their transoms. First beat spotlight grabber Guess and Dave Winder were next as the breeze held at 8 knots but it was showing signs of improvement.

We headed down to the finish line and awaited the arrival of the leaders as they made their way back up the final beat and with the breeze finally clicking up to 12 knots, the competitors enjoyed a punchy final leg, Meadowcroft holding Dobson for the win with Fells, Bishop and Greening the top five.

I understand Marlow went for a swim, finished 10th but would still be in the top 6 overnight and rightfully amped.

So, at the end of the first day it would be Tim Fells 1-3 from Simon Dobson 3-2 and Oliver Meadowcroft 13-1.

Meadowcroft wins R2

The fleet reconvened in the luxurious club house for the NSCA funded evening of curries and speeches.

Graham Cranford Smith who recently stepped down from serving the class so valuably as Honourable Secretary has a talent for public speaking and his grasp of the spoken word and comedic timing, on and off the water were once again received with a rapturous applause.

Huge thanks to the catering and bar team at Salcombe Yacht Club for their delivery of a great evening.

Day 2

Emily Hoar on day 2

The prescribed start time required me to exit my bed at 7a.m. to ensure I made the ferry across from Kingswear, all made easier following a successful visit to the MOT centre on Friday. The V70 2.4 litre engine purred effortlessly as I navigated the narrow B roads to my destination, amazing what a bit of spit and polish can do, and I swear that swayed the tester’s decision.

The sailors were already in their sailing apparel, wheeling their cutting edge, state of art Solos down towards the slipway, only held back by a few launches who had also chosen the top of the tide to head out.

I boarded my media rib which would be helmed today by Bru with Ben crewing, this was handy as I almost always need someone to hold my DJI gimbal while I take photos, locking it between my knees last time resulting in a failed audio transmitter.

Race 3

31 competitors came to the line and with the north-easterly breeze holding at a nice 10-12 knots we positioned ourselves mid-stream as the sequence started.

Fells and Dobson punch out at the Salcombe end with Dave Winder and Paul Jacobs in plenty of space. Law and McGregor pop out of the middle while Cranford Smith tacks back towards Portlemouth. Adrian Griffin has made a good start and is mixing it with the front runners, our conversation out to the start area must have lit a fire in his belly. The tide is slack and the competitors make more use of the estuary today, drawn out by better pressure and less disturbance from the nearby topography but the leaders still seem to come out of the Salcombe side of the course and it is Law who rounds first after what must have been 2 miles. Jacobs is second from Winder and Dray, that is two visitors in the top four. Fells, Guess and Read are next from Cleaves, MaGregor and Cuxson

The fleet filter down to the other end of the estuary with Law holding from Jacobs who looks to have speed to burn, Dray and Fells with the next group a good distance back. The main event of this leg was Dave Winder’s capsize just after the top mark, rolling to windward and afterwards mentioning a centreboard issue. He must have felt very proud seeing all the boats he has built sail past his upturned Mk2.

Paul Jacobs wins R 3

Jacobs takes the lead up beat two, the Starcross based sailor revelling in the stronger conditions with his Selden D+/North F3 set up with Law holding a strong second from Fells and Dray and needing to if he is to have a chance of winning overall.

There is no change for the remainder of the race and Jacobs takes the win, Law, Fells, Dray and Cleaves completing the top five from Dobson and Guess. Special mention to Winder who worked himself back up to tenth.

Race 4

The breeze was holding at 10-12 knots and the fleet set off with a clean start and split evenly over both sides of the estuary. Will Henderson nails the Portlemouth end from Guess, Fells and Law, the latter two keeping close order on each other in a battle for overall honours. Jacobs is also in this group and wanting to continue his day 2 form after a tardy 16-20 on Saturday.

Meadowcroft, Dobson, Greening, Cranford Smith and Cleaves are out of the left side while Read, MaGregor work the middle.

Top mark, Sun shining and 12-14 knots as MaGregor rounds first from Meadowcroft, Law, Dobson, Winder and Read, all the leaders giving the top mark plenty of respect as the water sucks down the plughole at the other end of the bath tub. Cleaves, Guess and Fells are next around, the latter with work to do.

Law rubs salt in the wound to round first from the group, Fells inside the top five as they head back upwind with MaGregor sticking to the Portlemouth side slightly longer than his nearest rivals before crossing back to the Salcombe side.

By the time the leaders reach the watch house Fells and Law have engaged, each grabbing the lead two times as they short tack up the very walls of the harbour in an effort to minimise the foul tide. Fells has to drop his mainsheet to duck Law’s bow and this gives the advantage away, providing the smallest of gaps in their race for the title. Meanwhile, Guess has worked himself into third but that is short lived as he slides off the windward deck and into the water in a vicious header. Fells gets back in the race though, leaving his tack out until the very last moment and almost putting Law on the rocks, now that would have been exciting. They tack back in onto starboard but Fells must be getting tired and drops his mainsheet again, giving Law the opportunity to push forward and tack on the next header with a gain.

The infighting has allowed the pack to close and now Cleaves and Dobson are the pursuers, the latter still with a chance of overall honours, holding a 3-2-6. Law has shot forward and looks back to seek out Fells but he is history, dunking it in after a failed penalty turn after a port/starboard incident with MaGregor.

Tim Law takes a victory lap or two, extending on Jacobs who again showed some devastating speed in these optimal North F3 conditions with Cleaves, Dobson, Greening, Winder and Dray.

So Tim Law wins the Western Area Championship in some style with a 2-13-2-1 scoreline from Tim Fells 1-3-3-DNF who fell in on the final beat when contesting with Law just last year, Deja Vu.

Simon Dobson kept the front two honest 3-2-6-4 and his tidy scoreline reflects his skill and consistency at a venue which continues to beguile sailors.

Paul Jacobs was first visitor in fifth with a 16-20-1-2 scoreline which shows that he needs work on his light wind set up!

Emily Hoar was first lady and did well on the windier Sunday despite a swim. I will take a guess that Harry Marlow was first Junior but most sailors look younger than me so it is a punt.

Congratulations and thanks to all who competed but especially the travellers from Shustoke and Hunts S.C.

Many thanks to P+B, Dinghy Shack and Salcombe Brewery for the sponsorship and beer and Saturday evening.

Full Western Area results and event videos and interviews to follow.