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| Home >> Events >> Starcross Steamer - Starcross YC, Exe Estuary, Devon, Sunday 29th January, UK |
The Starcross Steamer - Starcross YC, Exe, UK, 29th Jan 2023
Seven intrepid RS Aero sailors joined a total of 78 entries to contest the 2023 edition of the Starcross Steamer. Enthusiasm continues to reign high for a sociable day out at Starcoss YC to race in the beautiful Exe Estuary with the entry selling out in a few days after opening at New Year!
The Exe Estuary was looking very picturesque but unpromising initially with a flat calm on arrival through to after the planned start time. However, after an hour's postponement the forecasted breeze finally kicked in quickly to give a very pleasant day's racing with 8-14kn, sunshine and mild temperatures at last. The race length and start times were quickly adjusted to reduce the 2.5hrs race to 2hrs, catching the tidal window before the ebb set in.
The RS Aeros split themselves between four RS Aero 7s and three RS Aero 9s which started 4 minutes later with 102 minutes to hunt them down. Mark Ripley got the jump off the RS Aero 7 start but was soon overhauled by Chris Jones who went on to finish top RS Aero 7 and a creditable 11th overall (overcoming the distraction of a head wound from Starcross' infamous low tunnel!)
After a close first lap tussle between Paul Bartlett and Peter Barton, Peter eventually pulled clear. Peter went on to catch Chris and kept the ever present chasing pack of 15 Phantoms that had started just 2 minutes behind narrowly at bay all race (I could see the 'whites of their eyes' at times!). After passing a large gaggle of OKs, Solos, Radials and a Firefly Peter was up to 2nd and could then focus on the lead OK (current World Champion Charlie Chumbley!) in the distance, but it proved just too far and too fat to catch in time. Peter took 3rd overall, finishing about a minute behind the OK and the B14 who had zipped by in the closing minutes.
Congratulations to Jacob Chambers who finished Top Youth (U18) overall in his RS Aero 7, rounding out a good day overall for the RS Aeros.
Big Thank You to Starcoss YC for running such a nice event each year and to Exe Sails and Allen for supporting the prizes.
Top 3 and RS Aeros (78 entries)
1st - Charlie Chumbley, OK, Teign Corinthian YC
2nd - Russell Gibbs & Lucy, B14, Starcross YC
3rd - Peter Barton, RS Aero 9, Lymington Town SC
11th - Chris Jones, RS Aero 7, Sutton Bingham SC
29th - Mark Ripley, RS Aero 7, Paignton SC
36th - Paul Bartlett, RS Aero 9, Starcross YC
37th - John Tanner, RS Aero 7, Chelmarsh SC
47th - Klaus Harris,, RS Aero 9, Swanage SC
50th - Jacob Chambers, RS Aero 7, Wimbleball SC (1st Youth Overall)
Full Y&Y Report
Reply
Seven intrepid RS Aero sailors joined a total of 78 entries to contest the 2023 edition of the Starcross Steamer. Enthusiasm continues to reign high for a sociable day out at Starcoss YC to race in the beautiful Exe Estuary with the entry selling out in a few days after opening at New Year!
The Exe Estuary was looking very picturesque but unpromising initially with a flat calm on arrival through to after the planned start time. However, after an hour's postponement the forecasted breeze finally kicked in quickly to give a very pleasant day's racing with 8-14kn, sunshine and mild temperatures at last. The race length and start times were quickly adjusted to reduce the 2.5hrs race to 2hrs, catching the tidal window before the ebb set in.
The RS Aeros split themselves between four RS Aero 7s and three RS Aero 9s which started 4 minutes later with 102 minutes to hunt them down. Mark Ripley got the jump off the RS Aero 7 start but was soon overhauled by Chris Jones who went on to finish top RS Aero 7 and a creditable 11th overall (overcoming the distraction of a head wound from Starcross' infamous low tunnel!)
After a close first lap tussle between Paul Bartlett and Peter Barton, Peter eventually pulled clear. Peter went on to catch Chris and kept the ever present chasing pack of 15 Phantoms that had started just 2 minutes behind narrowly at bay all race (I could see the 'whites of their eyes' at times!). After passing a large gaggle of OKs, Solos, Radials and a Firefly Peter was up to 2nd and could then focus on the lead OK (current World Champion Charlie Chumbley!) in the distance, but it proved just too far and too fat to catch in time. Peter took 3rd overall, finishing about a minute behind the OK and the B14 who had zipped by in the closing minutes.
Congratulations to Jacob Chambers who finished Top Youth (U18) overall in his RS Aero 7, rounding out a good day overall for the RS Aeros.
Big Thank You to Starcoss YC for running such a nice event each year and to Exe Sails and Allen for supporting the prizes.
Top 3 and RS Aeros (78 entries)
1st - Charlie Chumbley, OK, Teign Corinthian YC
2nd - Russell Gibbs & Lucy, B14, Starcross YC
3rd - Peter Barton, RS Aero 9, Lymington Town SC
11th - Chris Jones, RS Aero 7, Sutton Bingham SC
29th - Mark Ripley, RS Aero 7, Paignton SC
36th - Paul Bartlett, RS Aero 9, Starcross YC
37th - John Tanner, RS Aero 7, Chelmarsh SC
47th - Klaus Harris,, RS Aero 9, Swanage SC
50th - Jacob Chambers, RS Aero 7, Wimbleball SC (1st Youth Overall)
Full Y&Y Report
Reply
31/01/2023 22:37:00
Peter Barton
Posts: 4692
The Starcross Steamer - Starcross YC, Exe Estuary, Devon, Sunday 29th January
Reply
The Starcross Steamer is the largest event in the Sailing Southwest Winter Series sailed on the beautiful Exe estuary. Its a great day out at Starcross Sailing Club racing with 80 other mixed class dinghies on the top of the tide.
As the race is one big pursuit race RS Aeros have their own starts and can enjoy a nice class race too, within the main event, whatever the conditions on the day.
Online entry opened on the 2nd Jan and if you noticed a blip in the internet yesterday it was 57 of the 80 places being taken in the first 24 hours! Get your entries in promptly...
Online entry opened on the 2nd Jan and if you noticed a blip in the internet yesterday it was 57 of the 80 places being taken in the first 24 hours! Get your entries in promptly...
Online Entry, Entry List & Info (limited to 80 entries)
Reply
03/01/2023 22:53:00
Peter Barton
Posts: 4692
