9th Saga Trophy Race, Thursday 26th June and Series Summary

Published 12:27 on 17 Jul 2025

Image by Chris Wade

The Saga Trophy is over for another year, signifying that we are sadly halfway through the Summer evening sailing.

The 8^th race of the series was sailed in relatively light conditions, which suited the ILCA7s. While David Baker and Carolyne Vines won the race on the water in their Merlin Rocket, ILCA7s took the first three places on handicap with Peter Impey finishing first, Ilker Sener 2^nd and Alexey Anaskiy 3^rd. This effectively sealed the series for Peter.

The 9^th and final race was sailed in a good force 2 to 3 from the west south west.

OOD Alastair Banks set a dogleg for the 6 entrants, 2 ILCA7s, a Solo, a couple of N18s and Juniors Ed Medcalf and Bethan Roberts in one of the club 2000s. The Merlin Rocket sailors were absent, probably preparing for Salcombe Merlin Week starting on 29^th June.

Joe McLaughlin took an early lead in his Solo, a lead he only lost to the ILCA7 of Ilker Sener on the final lap. Peter Impey in the other ILCA7 followed Joe for the first lap, then fell to 3^rd after Ilker overtook him and eventually finished 4^th, passed by Alison Cooper and Garrie Mallen in the first of the N18s.

Once the handicaps had been applied, there were some changes, Joe in his Solo finishing first followed by Ilker and Peter in their ILCA7s, with Charles Fox and Ron Williamson the first of the N18s. The first Juniors, Ed Medcalf and Bethan Roberts in the club's 2000 took 7^th.

This completed the series with:

1^st Peter Impey ILCA7 6points

2^nd Ilker Sener ILCA7 9 points

3^rd David Baker, mainly crewed by Carolyne Vines Merlin Rocket 10 points

4^th Charles Fox, mainly crewed by Robert Blakebrough N18 15 points

Ed Medcalf and Bethan Roberts were the first juniors in 13^th position.

A varied series but one where we had some wind for all races. Twenty-eight different boats sailed at least one race, with 7 sailing the four races required to qualify.

Thanks to all the OODs and their teams in the box and patrol boats for putting on the races and Thanks also to Jean Michel and his team in the kitchen and bar for providing a great supper on each of the evenings, a much appreciated end to the evenings.

Last updated 12:27 on 17 July 2025