Sailing Reports

Yealm Passage Race 10th July 2010

A group of 15 sailors represented WOW in this years Yealm Passage Race on Saturday 10th July. We raced Red, Amber and Blue Hawks helmed by Tim / Dave, Shaun and Bill respectively. The weather forecast was for strong southerly winds and the possibility of showers and it was pretty lively out at the start boat moored in Jennycliff Bay with the rest of the fleet vying for position to get the best start.

Our race started at 14:10 and Amber Hawk had a great start timing it just right, it wasn’t long before they were overtaken by Red Hawk just before the west end of the Breakwater. Unfortunately, for Amber Hawk and Blue Hawk the strong incoming tide made progress extremely slow, it seemed like we hadn’t moved at all in 30 minutes. Things got exciting with the Brittany Ferry steaming straight for us, which meant we had to change course to get out of its way. Having cleared the breakwater good progress was made trying to catch up with Red Hawk, with Amber and Blue Hawks sailing together out past the Mew Stone and into the mouth of the Yealm.

With no chance of getting a placement in the race and after being on the water for five hours we dropped sail and motored up to the Yealm Yacht Club where we were glad to get back on dry land for refreshments in the Club House. Some of the sailors were picked up from the club whilst the others returned to the Hawks for the sail home.

A great days sailing was had by all and everybody seemed to thoroughly enjoy it.

Please see Gallery for Photographs of the day.