The Bill Leat Cup used to be a sailing competition between the members of Royal Dart Yacht Club, Dartmouth Yacht Club and Dittisham Sailing Club.

It was held on Saturday afternoons with a big tea at each club after racing. In those days DSC members rarely won but by common consent always put on the best tea. 

It is now held on one day over three races with two to count. So it was that a good turnout of twenty dinghies came to the committee boat start line in light airs. Race officer Paul Honey had sensibly set a small triangular course in the centre of the river, where there was some wind.

David Thompson made a good start in his Phantom with James Dodd, also in a Phantom, close behind. Thompson built up a clear lead, leaving Bob Thomas and Jonathan weeks, both in Solos, to battle it out behind.

After three laps race one was won by Thompson from Thomas, narrowly ahead of Weeks. 

In race two the Solo sailors had more of an upper hand, with very close racing in the lessening wind. A battle developed between Jonathan Weeks and David Barwick and in the end Weeks won the race with Barwick a good third. Thompson again sailed a good race and split the Solos on handicap. 

Race three was held in even less wind with a change to a windward leeward course.

The downwind leg was tricky as competitors had to keep clear of the start/finish line. This resulted in boats from behind catching up those in front, which resulted in several close call incidents.

In the fading wind the race was shortened with a second win for Weeks, followed by Thomas and Dodd. This gave Weeks the cup ahead of Thompson, who continues to improve in the Phantom, which obviously suits his six-feet six-inch frame.

 The next racing at Dittisham is next Sunday at 10am, followed by a beach feast.

 

Results:

The Bill Leat Cup

1 J Weeks, Solo.

2 D Thompson, Phantom.

3 R Thomas, Solo.

4 J Dodds, Phantom.