The 36th Starcross Steamer, sponsored by Exe Sails and Covers, saw a capacity number of 80 boats enter. However, the forecast of strong southerly winds and rain saw the numbers fall away in the days before the race. The pursuit race saw 23 boats take to the water, faced with 22-knot average wind speeds and some fruitier gusts just north of 25 knots.
The fleet was a mixed bunch taking on the challenging conditions, with the slowest being ILCA 4s through to the faster 505 and B14, and a variety of boats in between. With the race shortened from 2½ hours down to 90 minutes to avoid wind over ebbing tide, it became a test of who could stay upright and keep their boat in one piece!
A special mention has to go to the younger sailors in the fleet, with superstars Ben Pascoe helming with Olly Turner, and Tristan Pascoe sailing with his father, Sam. In the single-handers, young sailors Leo Shuttleworth and George Lenney in their RS Aeros, and Toby Keates and Gylfi Greeves in ILCAs, all took the breezy conditions in their stride!
Sadly, though, as the race progressed with more boats retiring through gear failure or keeping-upright failure, the wind ramped up further and the race was abandoned on the third lap to enable the rescue boats to focus on assisting everyone back to shore safe and sound.
The top five at the end of racing deserve special mention, with Ben Harris leading from George Lenney, and being chased by the Blaze of Alan Harris, all of whom had taken a swim or two and got back on board to battle on round the course! Possibly the most spectacular was the RS200 of Ralph Singleton and Lucy Loughton topping 19 knots on one of the three-sail reaches, closing in on 4th-place David Buzzard in his RS Aero.
Whilst there was no official finish, the spectacle the sailors had provided deserved a special round of applause and some prizes for those who took on the elements, kindly provided by Sam Woolner at Exe Sails and Covers.
Thanks go to the army of volunteers: some stood in the cold and rain for hours and some stood in the water helping boats with tricky launching and landing. Not to mention the galley team, who arrived at the Club at an hour when most people should be in bed, to prepare some lovely breakfasts and lunches! Lastly the RIB crews, who definitely had their work cut out keeping everyone safe and sound.
Next year's event is scheduled for the 17th of January 2027, and we really are hoping for some kinder weather!
All images ©Garnett Showell