RS 400 Southern Tour – Salcombe

3 days, 4 races
0-12knots breeze – variable
Tide - yes!
 
With breezes that funnelled down the lush green valleys, flood tides, ebb tides and back eddies, along with complex armada of waterborne craft, there is plenty to occupy the mind when racing in Salcombe.

This naturally sheltered harbour in Devon may be renowned for its idyllic setting, picturesque town and extensive collection of 4x4s, but the diversity of conditions within its creeks and open waters make it a taxing place to race.

This was the first RS400 outing to Salcombe and the second event of the 2016 Southern Tour which attracted 15 boats, comprising 11 visitors and 4 locals.

At between 1½ - 2 hours, each race was significantly longer than we are used to yet the fluctuating breeze and the tidal tactics kept everyone on their toes and made each race as much a mental exercise as it was a physical one. Think lake sailing on the sea and you’re getting the picture.

Among the usual skills, quick decision making was a key to success here, yet not everyone took the same approach.  For example, some when faced with a debate as to whether to hoist the kite or not on a leg that should have been a beat, took the matter into their own hands and acted on impulse. “We were starting to argue about whether we should hoist or not,” said Howard Farbrother’s crew Dan Martin. “I don’t like arguments so I ended it by just pulling on the halyard.” Another, who shall remain nameless, chose to continue a heated debate on the question of rights at a leeward mark while hanging onto another’s bowsprit as he was dragged along in the water under his competitor’s bow having been taken out of his boat by said carbon pole during the manoeuvre in question. Just two of many tales that demonstrated the different strategic approaches on the race course that kept the evening socials lively as the accounts became ever more elaborate with each new round of drinks.

Although the breeze rarely broke above 10 knots, the sunshine and blue skies made for a terrific bank holiday weekend – just what everyone had signed up for.

Meanwhile, the racing itself was a complete contrast to the clinical windward/leeward courses that we’ve all become used to. And while there were windward/leeward elements within in each course, frequently they were on the same leg, so shifty was the breeze at times. But no one was complaining. Everyone it seemed had their moments of watching others sail past just metres away in breeze while they sat there, ghosting along in a vacuum. Sometimes you were the statue, sometimes you were the pigeon. But if any were tempted to consider such conditions a lottery, the results sheet proved otherwise with some impressively consistent performances.

All four of the races that were run over the three days took us on expeditions, from the heads of spectacular and tranquil creeks, to the hustle and bustle of the fast flowing estuary and into Salcombe Bay, there was plenty of contrast in each of the outings.  And for those who were concerned about remembering a course that had more than a windward mark and a leeward gate, help was at hand with Jon Gorringe and Nicola Bass in a borrowed boat (1329) who frequently led the fleet around the course like London tour guides while holding a bold red kite aloft.
As always with any group outing there are those that want to run on ahead, here it was either Sam Parker and Louise Holden (1399), Paul and Mark Oakey (1441), or David and Rebecca Brown (1290) that repeatedly broke ranks. But in the end, Gorringe and Bass kept the renegades under control to take the overall win with a scoreline that read 1, 2, 1 and a discarded 16th when their slot gasket fell off.

As a first foray for the 400s, the daily smiles and banter proved that the Salcombe adventure had been a big success, not just for the stunning setting and the lively socials, but as proof that sometimes stepping away from the norm can be refreshing, stimulating and rewarding. Even with a hangover.

Matt Sheahan