JOHN McLAREN'S boat Maridadi was awarded the Addison Gold Cup at the culmination of this year's Torbay Week (writes Jean Border).

The Gold Cup is awarded for the best overall performance in the regatta by an IRC boat and McLaren, a member of Royal Western and Salcombe Yacht Clubs, took it with seven points.

He was followed by Royal Torbay Yacht Club's John Pollard in Xcellent, and Neil Trathen from Saltash sailing a Laser 28.

The Admiral's Cup for the winning team of three boats with the most points went to Team Mad, consisting of Astarte (Nick Jones) from Chichester YC, Maridadi and Demolition (Mel Sharp) from Flushing SC.

Going into the last day there was all to play for and, with winds gusting up to 29 knots and a rough sea state, race officer Bill Butcher had to keep a close eye on the forecast.

But to his credit, both junior races — the fleet was split up into Gold and Silver — were completed followed by a dash to the harbour as the winds built.

In the Gold Fleet, Jovian Short and James Barlow in BCNU once again showed their superiority in these conditions and became 2010 Torbay Week junior champions.

Jovian and James, who are also the current RS Feva RTYC class champions — along with many of the other juniors taking part in Torbay week — have competed at national and world level.

RTYC duo Morgan Peach and Herbie Harford came in a very respectable second with Ollie Wright and Luke McDermott, a new pairing, taking third.

Alice Rumbelow and Jermina Crossland, sailing Alice's International Cadet Black Mariah, led the all-female crews by taking fourth, with Emma and Jessica Scourfield fifth and Sarah Hussey and Hannah Harvey-Trott sixth.

The Silver Fleet, which was made up of Toppers from Paignton Sailing Club and Q'bas from RTYC, was won by Carys Roberts from Paignton in a Topper.

Paris Thomas and Jack Stephens, also in Paignton Sailing Club Toppers, took second and third place respectively.

All the juniors who took part should be applauded for the boat handling skills they showed in an event that saw many older and more experience sailors staying ashore during difficult conditions.

The race committee and the safety boats crews did a sterling job to keep the juniors out on the water and safe.

Special mention should go to 12-year-old Max and nine-year-old Cody Griggs of RTYC, the youngest and by far the lightest crew in the Gold Fleet who, to their credit, finished all eight races and showed their 'never say never' attitude.

The Junior Fleet and the PY Dinghies were the only fleets to complete all of their scheduled races.

The first day of Torbay Week began with weather that was untypical of the English Riviera.

There was thick mist, rain and wind but race officer Bob Penfold set two good windward, leeward courses and got the fleets away on time with only a couple of individual recalls.

The IRC Fleet turned out in an array of wet weather gear, expecting 17 to 20 knots of wind, but were soon surprised to find by the time the first race started that the wind had increased to some 24 knots, gusting to 30 knots.

Sails were reefed and gennakers changed to cope with the windy conditions. The first race saw retirements due to breakages and some yachtsmen, feeling the conditions were a too wild for them, decided to return to the harbour.

The IRC yachts were divided into three classes and the IRC 1 'Big Boat' fleet was dominated, in the windy conditions, by the bigger vessels with Maridadi (John Mclaren, Royal Western and Salcombe Yacht Clubs) sailing two good races to take first place on both occasions.

NJOS (Tim Octon, Royal Southampton Yacht Club) took second in the first race and Dark and Steamy (Nick and Annie Haigh, Royal Ocean Yacht Club) achieved a good second place in race two after having to bow out of the first race with sail damage.

IRC 2 saw a clear win by Xcellent (John Pollard, RTYC) in the first race beating X-treme (Stephen Hills, Saltash Sailing Club) with Astarte (Nick Jones, Chichester Yacht Club) taking third. But in the second race, Xcellent was a premature starter and had to restart giving Astarte a good lead which she held by less than 30 seconds, Xcellent having recovered well.

Rushcutter (Rick Adams, Royal Western Yacht Club) was just a further five seconds behind taking third place.

In Class 3, Elusive (Neil Trathen, Saltash Sailing Club) took a second and a first place to lead after two races ahead of Fearnought (Matt and Michele Dodd, Brixham Yacht Club) with Red Fox (Colin Leach, Topsham Sailing Club) in third.

When Sunday dawned there was no wind and after waiting on the water for two hours the race officer decided to abandon the day's racing.

Monday, and there was still no sign of the English Rivera summer!

The fleets were somewhat surprised by the higher than expected winds which ranged between 18 and 26 knots for much of the day with higher gusts and a few lulls. Worse still were continual showers during the morning that did dampen spirits.

The first race was well ordered with good starts and good racing. In Class 1 Apollo (Nigel and Donna Passmore, Royal Western Yacht Club) streaked ahead on the water but on handicap it was the big boat rivals of Maridadi (John McLaren) and Dark and Stormy (Nick and Annie Haigh) that took the lead positions with Alaris (John Howell, Royal Southern Yacht Club) third.

In Class 2 Xcellent (John Pollard) held a good lead on the water over Astarte (Nick Jones) with Rushcutter (Rick Adams) a relatively close third.

In Class 3 Red Fox (Colin Leach) took the race by one second over Fearnought (Matt and Michele Dodd) with Elusive (Neil Trathen) third.

During this race there were a number of incidents and sail damage, and some yachts had to retire from the race course for the rest of the day.

The start of the second race took place in continuing and growing strong winds that was hampered by a weather front passing over and creating a massive 50 degree wind shift just after the Class 1 start.

Unfortunately, either by judgement or bad luck at the Class 2 start, yachts all bunched at the committee boat end and tried to squeeze across the start line where there was no space which caused chaos and severe damage from a collision.

Xcellent (John Pollard) was holed and had to retire and others had to take urgent action to miss compounding a severe situation.

This all became subject to a protest. Almost immediately after that start the wind moved further round and led to an abandonment of this race as the windward leg had now become a reach.

The committee boat then had to move and swing the course by some 60 degrees and set up again.

It was in this period that the committee boat announced a postponement for the Class 1 start as the start mark was 'moving to windward'.

The fleet puzzled this one, thinking it was a submarine or dolphins performing this remarkable task. No, it was just the committee boat dragging its anchor in the now very fresh wind.

Several yachts decided the wind had become too strong and there was a risk to equipment. They decided to retire from further racing for the day while the committee boat still struggled to get a good holding for its anchor.

Eventually, the second race got under way with only six of the big Class 1 boats still remaining. It was Maridadi (John McLaren) again, clocking up her fourth win just 14 seconds ahead of Dark and Stormy (Nick and Annie Haigh) with Sanguma (Chris Clyburn, Brixham Yacht Club) taking third.

In Class 2 Astarte powered away and held a good lead ahead of Just In time (Andy Roberts, Royal Lymington Yacht Club) who took second just ahead of Rushcutter.

In Class 3 Elusive took a third first place ahead of Demolition (Mel Sharp, Flushing Sailing Club) with Fearnought (Mat and Michelle Dodd) third.

The day was challenging for the fleet in all classes with the strong winds, retirements and unfortunate clashes.

In the end, with further strong wind forecast and depleted a fleet, the race officer decided not to run the third race of the day.

Tuesday was another windy day at the race track. With some yachts missing and needing repairs after the windiest regatta for decades, the IRC fleet went on the water with hope and optimism that it was going to be the good day.

It did not take long for the gusty 25 knot winds to blow in but it was the ups and downs from 9 knots to over 30 knots, with swinging directions, which challenged the fleet.

Racing was good but also it took its toll on boats and equipment.

Race one of the day was away on time with all the Class 1 big fleet behaving well and as expected the flying TP52 Apollo (Nigel and Donna Passmore, Royal Western Yacht Club) glided away ahead of the fleet.

However, Dark and Steamy (Nick and Annie Haigh) were showing determination to get a bullet for their efforts this week followed by Maridadi (John McLaren) who had taken every race so far. The wind remained firm and it was Dark and Steamy that flew home on handicap to win just 24 seconds ahead of Maridadi. Quickbrew (Alan Mererdith, Royal Western Yacht Club) took the third, with Apollo just fourth. Fast and impressive racing!

In Class 2 Astarte (Nick Jones) seem to relish the conditions and led from the start. X-treme (Stephen Hills, Saltash Sailing Club) and Mintaka (Derek Elliot, Royal Torbay Yacht Club) helmed by Tim Whitehead were the main competitors at this stage powering though the 25 knots winds.

However, with the strong but fluky winds, Rushcutter (Nick Adams) crept up and stole the third place on the last leg.

It was Elusive (Neil Trathen) in Class 3 that lead away and remained in the lead for the whole race but with a star performance by local boat Impulsive (Alan Bancroft) who grabbed second place by one second over Fearnought (Matt and Michele Dodd) and Demolition (Mel Sharp).

Then came the second race which was a sail repairer's delight.

In Class 1 several yachts got a bit too bunched up at the start near the committee boat and a few bumps occurred. But, it was the finish that provided a spectacle as both Maridadi (John McLaren) and Dark and Steamy (Nick and Annie Haigh) producing some interesting broaches just near the finish line. Several other smaller yachts were seen facing some difficult times in the gusty winds.

In Class 1, Maridadi returned to her winning ways well ahead of Dark and Stormy with Apollo third. In Class 2, Astarte took 1st place again ahead of X-treme and Rushcutter and in Class 3 Elusive again won just ahead of Red Fox (Colin Leach) and Fearnought.

The third race was eventually called off as the winds were very strong and gusty and many boats had damage to sails and had already chosen to return to harbour.

In all only six races were completed, all windward, leeward.

Running racing in these conditions is never easy and even anchoring the committee boat in 25 knots of wind proved a challenge this year.

However, the good race management and support succeeded in getting good racing despite the conditions.

Most of the time it was full wet weather gear that was worn by all the crews to protect against the spray and the rain, something that is almost unheard of on the English Riviera's regattas. It is usually sun cream, sun glasses and shorts.

The event was privileged to have a number of visiting 'Big Boats' competing this year such as the TP52, Apollo (Nigel and Donna Passmore), the DK46, Dark and Steamy (Nick and Annie Haigh) and the Ker 39, Maridadi (John Mclaren) which provided an impressive sight in these strong winds with their large crews controlling (most of the time!) their high speed downwind legs.

It is hoped that more of this size of yacht can be attracted in future years to create a Class 0 as well as the other three classes.

The PY Handicap Class course was set just off Brixham with Brixham Yacht Club race officers and crew forming the race committee.

Weather conditions were just as difficult for these yachts as they were for the IRC Fleet.

Race 1 on Saturday saw Typhoon 10 (Richard Bayliss, RTYC) squeezed out at the start narrowly missing the committee boat and for the start of race two the Race officer biased the line towards the pin end in an attempt to encourage the boats to stay clear.

Line honours and first place after handicap went to Ginger (Chris Clarance, Teignmouth Corinthian Yacht Club) in both races, with Phil Meek (RTYC) in Hope second in race one and Typhoon 10 second in race two. Buccaneer (Kelvin and Shirley Hull, RTYC) was third on both occasions

On Sunday the weather was in complete contrast to day one with a very light wind.

The crew of Buccaneer were glad that the committee had the patience to delay the start for a couple of hours whilst the wind filled in. The race eventually got underway and saw Buccaneer take first place.

Following the light winds on Sunday, the breeze returned on Monday, favouring the larger boats. The first race of the day saw another closely fought battle between the top three yachts with Typhoon 10 (Richard Bayliss) taking the first of its three consecutive bullets, beating nearest rival Ginger (Chris Clarance) by only one second on corrected time.

Buccaneer (Kelvin and Shirley Hull) followed up a minute later to maintain her consistently high performance of achieving no lower than third place.

One of the Sonata Class yachts lost a rudder during this race which was found by a member of Brixham boat, Blues Breaker's crew and safely retrieved from the race course before race two got underway.

Ginger (Chris Clarance) was a non-starter in the second race of the day, possibly scared off by the fierce breeze and even more ferocious competition! Consequently, Buccaneer (Kelvin and Shirley Hull) trailed Typhoon 10's transom by only 26 seconds on the water and 1min 28secs on corrected time.

The Monday night results table had Typhoon 10 on eight points and Buccaneer on nine points, leaving it all to play for the next day on the Coastal Race.

On Tuesday, the race officer set a course around the bay for the Coastal Race to include a windward mark, wing mark and a rounding of the Orestone.

The day was very windy and gusty and Buccaneer took the lead round the windward mark and duly hoisted a spinnaker making for the wing mark.

With Buccaneer still pulling away from Typhoon 10 and Hope, they duly raised spinnakers for the third leg across the bay to the Orestone.

All was going well until gusts of 30kts hit the fleet and spinnakers were rapidly taken down and stowed. The race was eventually won by Typhoon 10 with Hope in second place.

Each day saw real battles at the front of the fleet between Ginger, Typhoon 10, Buccaneer and Hope.

The final overall result for the PY Cruisers was first place to Typhoon 10, second Buccaneer and third Ginger.

The Dayboat Class was also run by the Brixham race committee and started with RTYC boats having a breezy sail across the bay from Torquay to the start line at Brixham.

Unfortunately, the Folkboat, Blue Viking, helmed by Tim Harrington (RTYC) and crewed by Clive Harrington and Chris Cullen sustained gear failure and was forced to sail all the way back to Torquay under jib alone to effect repairs.

David Rayment (RTYC) sailing his Devon Yawl, Melody, a much smaller boat than the Folkboat and, therefore, much more exposed to the elements, also decided to call it a day and sail back to Torquay before the race got underway.

This left the brothers Mike Ellis (RTYC) in Bluetooth crewed by Graham Jenkins and Dave Davies and Sandy Ellis (RTYC) crewed by Julia Ellis and Jim White in Grayling to fight it out for the two races of the day.

In the strong winds Bluetooth was the winner of both races in spite of having to make running repairs to the boat.

Sunday could not have been more different in terms of weather. With Blue Viking now repaired, the three Folkboats plus Mark Bowen (RTYC), together with his son, sailing his Devon Yawl, Red Hot, all boats waited for the wind to appear.

The first race of the day got underway in a light and shifty breeze and was won by Tim Harrington sailing Bill Butcher's boat, Blue Viking, with Bluetooth second and Grayling third.

The second race was abandoned in the dying breeze when it became clear that none of the Folkboats would reach the windward mark.

Monday saw the weather return to stronger winds, but now with gusty rain squalls. This time it was Grayling (Sandy Ellis) that suffered damage to her gear saved by a handy piece of cord that allowed her to continue sailing.

After two very tiring races in extremely squally conditions Bluetooth had two firsts, Grayling two seconds and Blue Viking two thirds.

On the last day the sun came out although the winds continued to be strong with big shifts in direction.

In the first race Grayling finally beat Bluetooth, but in the final race Bluetooth reasserted her position with a first; Grayling was second and Blue Viking third.

The Sportsboat Class, which sailed off Brixham, enjoyed competitive racing and revelled in the strong breezes that prevailed throughout the week on the K2 course.

The fleet consisted of a mix of Laser SB3s and K6's, with Julian Cook (RTYC) emerging as the overall winner in his K6, Oh No.. Not Again.

This fleet sailed off Berry Head, Brixham and had to contend with everything from a flat calm on the Sunday to a large, sharp chop created by the 35 knot gusts recorded on the final day of racing.

Consistency proved to be the key, with various minor breakages causing set backs for some competitors with Allan Ambury (RTYC) in Mini-Mayhem managing to re-attach the gooseneck whilst sailing downwind under spinnaker in 25 knots of wind – no mean feat – and Devils Advocate (Tony Jaffa, RTYC) missing a day's racing due to backstay problems.

Oh No...Not Again (Julian Cook) sailed well to take first place in four of the 11 races giving her the first place overall in the regatta.

Red (Joe Woods, RTYC) was second and Xcellent (Charlie Hook, RTYC) was third.

A special mention must go to Michel Guglieri and his family, who travelled from the south of France to compete in the regatta, towing their boat over 650 miles to be a part of the fun.

The PY Dinghy Fleet sailed Olympic-style courses of 'triangles and sausages'. In the Asymmetric Fleet, Rod Boswijk and Sharon Harle from Plymouth sailed their B14 consistently and finished the first day with a modest points cushion over the RS200's of Adrian Peach (RTYC) and William Hussey (RTYC).

Neil Spacagna's Laser won each of the three races in the Medium fleet giving them a comfortable margin over the Wayfarer sailed by the Liam and Sue McGrath (from Starcross) and the Tasar helmed by John Lawton.

In the small Fast handicap fleet, a different boat won in each race and thus on the first day there was no consistent leader.

Day two proved a complete contrast to the first day. The wind never rose above a light breeze, and the hardest working people on the water were the mark layers who were constantly laying, lifting and resetting the course as the wind conditions changed.

After an hour's delay, the wind settled a little and it was possible to run the planned series of three races.

In the Asymetric Fleet, Rod Boswijk and Sharon Harle maintained their consistent form in the B14, and finished the series well clear of Adrian Peach and Peter Cayless sailing an RS200.

In the Fast Handicap Fleet, Chris Tilbrook (Paignton Sailing Club), sailing an RS600, finished overall winner on a 'most firsts' countback to break his tie with Dale Giles (Paignton Sailing Club) who was sailing a Fireball.

The Tasars found the light conditions favoured them less than the heavier boats with bigger and Liam and Sue McGrath's Wayfarer from Starcross finished just ahead of the Jean and Derek Simmons from South Cerney in an Albacore.

Jean and Derek visit Torquay regularly and have sailed many regattas here.

The Junior Fleet, who were sailing RS Fevas, National Cadets, Toppers and Q'bas were split into Gold and Silver Fleets.

They all managed the conditions remarkably well and on Saturday in the gusty breeze and shifty winds. Morgan Peach and Herbie Harford both from RTYC sailing in Team Gill held off rivals, Jacob and Emma Barnett also from RTYC.

The Silver Fleet was won by Paris Thomas in a Topper.

On Sunday, of course, there was no racing due to the lack of wind, but on Monday, once again, in the windy conditions, the competition was keen between the top five boats in the Gold Fleet.

Both fleets sailed three races with Jovian Short and James Barlow in BCNU winning two races and Morgan Peach and Herbie Harford in Team Gill winning the remaining race.

This time Carys Roberts from Paignton Sailing Club dominated the Silver Fleet.

By Tuesday, some of the competitors were tired and bruised but competition was still very keen and both races were won by Rob McPherson (RTYC) and Ben Oliver (RTYC) with Carys maintaining her overall lead in the Silver Fleet.

The final race of the event started from Brixham in appalling visibility, rain and a strong easterly wind.

Of the 84 boats listed to start for the race to Dartmouth, only about 30 turned out, including one classic lugger.

The race officer was unable to see the outer start line mark, and had to rely on Brixham's launch, Shuttle, positioned adjacent to the buoy, to radio-in any boats over the line at that end.

The race itself was a fast one with a following tide and the unexpected easterly giving a fast reach to Dartmouth for the start of Dartmouth Royal Regatta.

Thanks must go to all of the sponsors for helping to make the event possible, to the director of Torbay Week, David Homer, and to the competitors who all agreed that the events off the water were as good as the events on the water.