Page 29 - Masthead - Salcombe Yacht Club 2019 Yearbook

SOLO FLEET REPORT 2018
One might be forgiven for forming the view that the size of our Solo fleet has been on the decline this season, possibly due to the defection of a few less agile helmsmen to other classes. But a look at the figures shows otherwise, particularly mid-season when seven of our number missed over a month of club races while their boats were shipped to Italy after taking part in the ferocious conditions at the Pusinelli Trophy weekend at Weymouth.
The first half of the season was plagued by northerly winds, light in nature, which tend to bring out the apathy in some like me, who find it more entertaining mowing the lawn than going to the trouble of launching. Not that the grass needed much attention during the summer drought, we had fewer Sunday morning ‘Tank’ mowing parties than usual, but grateful thanks are due to our regular stalwarts such as Geoff Allen and the Squires family, who reliably turn out to help under the strict site management of Nicki Dobson.
Physical ailments also took their toll on start line numbers. Andy Savell caused serious damage to his knee in a fall whilst mowing a steep bank in his garden (should have gone sailing!). Babs Allen has had a baby and Liz Stephens has given birth to her second child. Iain McGregor struggled with a defective right arm eventually succumbing to surgery. Rob Hyde’s continuing shoulder problems have side- lined him to light weather sailing only. We then lost Roger Guess part-way through the season after a promising start, due to a hernia which kept him out of his Solo until October.
On a positive note, Jonty White made a brilliant recovery from serious illness, bought back his old Solo and in no time demonstrated that he had lost none of his usual form. However, Jonty found to his cost during the town regatta that his stamina was understandably not yet back at 100% and after multiple capsizes, was struggling to find the strength to right
his boat. The safety boats were busy elsewhere and so rescue came in the form of Charles Thompson and Alister Morley in their Yawl. Following a quick assessment of the situation, Alister dived into the water fully clothed & rescued Jonty’s boat while one of the RIBs eventually pulled Jonty to safety. Alister’s unusually decisive action was recognised at the annual laying up supper and prize-giving where his double gallantry was acknowledged, firstly for rescuing Jonty and secondly for leaving
Charles Thompson in sole charge of a Yawl.
Off the water, recently retired Graham Cranford-Smith made good use of his idle hours by penning many memorable, witty and on occasion, award-winning race reports for Yachts & Yachting and our local Gazette.
On the traveller’s circuit, Roger Lumby was the sole Salcombe representative at the February Winter Championships in Northampton, finishing mid-fleet. Roger
Fleet Reports 27