2024 Exe Sails and Covers Starcross Steamer

The 34th Starcross Steamer Sponsored by Exe Sails saw 75 boats head afloat in a mild February Sunday with a 10-15 knot offshore breeze. A two hours 30 minute pursuit race with the slowest boat heading off first with the faster boats chasing them down!

Away first were the Solos with an R/S Aero 5 of Zak Mitchell leading last years winner Charlie Cumbley chasing in a Solo through the first lap in sunshine. Heading down the first reach in a good breeze, the first few fleets tried to build a gap to keep the faster boats at bay.

Wind eased for lap 2 and the RS aero 5 held off the solos in as the faster B14s, international canoe and RS 800 unlapped themselves.

With the West South Westerly wind catching the gusts as they came through was the name of the game and Comet Trio of Andrew and Caroline McAusland able to hold their spinnaker on one of the tighter reaches gradually overhauled the Aero and Solo as the raced progressed and led round the penultimate lap.

Starcross Steamer 2024 - photo © Heather Davies

With several fleets racing each other, for the spectators there were races within the race, with the B14s, RS400s, Phantoms and Solos trading places throughout.

As always with a pursuit race it’s the last few moments that count with strong finishes from Richard Cain and Barney Dearsly coming through to the front in the last few minutes and holding off a pair of charging K1s of Simon Hawkes in second and Paul Birbeck who couldn’t quite pass the Comet trio to finish 5th. Multiple winner Peter Barton in the RS Aero 7 also finished strongly to take 3rd!

Starcross Steamer 2024 - photo © Garnett Showell

Several Juniors took part with ILCA6 sailor Josie Bennett holding off the 29er pairing of Ed Stubbs and Noah Kenny. First female helm went to 2000 sailor Juliet Barnes.

A big thank you to all who travelled and the mass of volunteers many from the Clubs catamaran fleet and cruising sections for making the day run smoothly. The 2025 edition of the Starcross Steamer will be held on March 23rd 2025. We hope to see you then.

Overall Results: