Solway Yacht Club launches the 2026 season into a gale
by Ian Purkis 6 Apr 10:46 PDT 4-5 April 2026
The leading pair sailing fast! Finn Harris just ahead but caught by Toby right on the line during the Solway Yacht Club Easter Weekend © Richard Bishop
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Sailing gets a blast from Storm Dave!
After being laid up over the winter, members were keen their yachts back on the water, whether cruising to distant parts or close racing round the Rough Firth and the Solway. As Easter approached, the ominous forecast of Storm Dave drew closer. Craning-in of the larger yachts had been scheduled but with forecast wind strength, well above the maximum for safe operation of the crane, it was the first casualty, postponed to the next suitable weekend tide. A good early entry for the dinghy racing had half the fleet withdrawing given the forecast, but nevertheless by mid-morning Saturday, five brave young sailors started rigging their boats on the pier. John Broadbent, the Race Officer and Safety crews agreed that, despite the temperature hovering around a chilly 5 degrees and by now heavy rain, with the wind yet to rise, sailing was on.
After the success of the Easter river races last year, the format was repeated with races scheduled over two days. With the start line set off the end of the pier, the course went upwind to a buoy just into the bay, then back downwind to a second buoy set just off Black Rock. Race one saw a good start for Toby Iglehart (ILCA6) with Finn Harris in a similar boat, followed by Rhys Williams having his first sail in his new high performance Blaze dinghy. A little further back James and Katie Harris were giving chase in their GP14. Rhys was coming to terms with his new boat but at the final turning mark lost third place to the Bishop brother and sister crew. A clear win for Toby but race two was a different story. This time it was Finn who made the best start getting away into wind just as it dropped to nothing on the start line. As clearly “the lull before the storm”, Finn made good use of his advantage building a big lead over Toby but, hugging the shore keeping out of the foul tide, Toby started to close the gap. The downwind leg had Finn maintaining his lead but once round Black Rock mark and tacking back upwind Toby was closing fast. In the last few metres, it became a Port / Starboard battle with Toby getting it just right, crossing the finish, ahead when it mattered, winning by just two seconds. Further back, Rhys was now getting the hang of his Blaze and improving while the Bishop’s GP14 was going steadily rather further back.
Race three and with the wind rising, Toby got the best start. All four made the windward mark but with the wind now approaching Force 6 and still rising, Rhys decided to save his new boat for another day and wisely retired. The other three were having a wild ride downwind but first Toby came to grief capsizing short of the gybe mark, presenting Finn with the lead. Toby recovered to continue but the GP14 was next casualty, James breaking the tiller in a big capsize and retirement, leaving Finn to claim the win. His good fortune didn’t last; just off the club pontoon after the finish, he too had a big capsize and turned turtle, leading to him and the safety boat crew struggling in the conditions to recover the boat.
With Storm Dave now arrived and howling outside, the clubhouse made a welcome retreat for members, joining together for the early season Spring Supper. After a delicious meal served by Social Secretary Liz Train and her team, Scott Train, the Club Commodore spoke briefly of the great improvement to the Club’s facilities, particularly for the disabled, thanks to the hugely appreciated Dumfries and Galloway Coastal Benefit Fund grant plus funding from the Club and members. Many of the members present had only seen the new facilities for the first time earlier in the day. He then invited Ian Purkis, the project leader, to come forward to jointly sign the final report to the Council. While now in use, the facilities official opening will be held on Saturday 16th May. Concluding the evening, John Broadbent then spoke of his appreciation of the team who had made racing possible in such unpleasant conditions earlier; Stewart Biggar, his assistant, plus Safety Boat crews of Julian Stanning, Dewi Williams and Richard and Sarah Bishop.
Sunday morning and after a stormy night, it was still blowing hard but undeterred, Toby and Finn were up for continuing the racing. Rhys decided not to risk damage while the Bishop’s GP14 tiller was unrepairable. Toby concluded the weekend with two more wins, but both found the conditions round the turning marks highly unpredictable leading to several capsizes, exactly as Race Officer Stewart Biggar had intended when setting the course; it wasn’t supposed to be easy. Nevertheless, watching the two teenagers give a great demonstration of dinghy sailing in heavy weather was most impressive for all present.
In the end Toby was the clear overall winner from Finn but the results left Rhys and the Bishops on equal points, the third place only going Rhys’ way thanks to the tie break rule where the better placed boat in the last race in which both competed, is awarded the better result.
Finally, the Club’s Open Day is being held on Sunday 17th May from 11.00 and we look forward to welcoming locals and visitors to share the day with the Club
Easter River Races Overall Results:
1st Toby Iglehart (ILCA6)
2nd Finn Harris (ILCA6)
3rd Rhys Williams (Blaze)
4th James and Katie Bishop (GP14)
No other competitors
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