Christmas Cracker Pursuit Race delivers winter spectacle at Paignton Harbour

Paignton Harbour was alive with colour and competition on Sunday as Paignton Sailing Club staged its annual Christmas Cracker Pursuit Race, attracting an impressive fleet of 44 boats for one of the standout fixtures in the winter sailing calendar.

Famous for its inclusive pursuit format, the two-and-a-half-hour race gives every sailor—from novices to seasoned racers—a fighting chance. The slowest boats start first, with faster classes setting off at timed intervals in a thrilling chase that always promises drama on the water.

The event got underway with six Toppers leading the fleet before a lively mix of single-handed and double-handed dinghies joined the course. The broad range of boat classes created an engaging spectacle, with sailors of all ages and abilities competing shoulder to shoulder in true festive spirit.

Competitors were rewarded with ideal winter conditions. Bathed in crisp sunshine and with winds holding steady at around 10 knots before building throughout the afternoon, the fleet enjoyed fast and technical sailing across the bay.

Thomas Semmens, racing an ILCA 6, emerged as the overall winner, securing victory after a consistently strong performance. He was closely chased down by Alan Harris of Porthpean Sailing Club in a Blaze, who finished second. The Starcross Yacht Club pairing of Richard Cain and Barney Dearsley claimed third in their RS400.

Paignton’s own Paul Procter finished fourth in his ILCA 7, while Phil Bevan from Lyme Regis took fifth. In the junior category, Edie Philips of Stoke Gabriel Boating Association topped the leaderboard with a confident display.

A special round of applause went to nine-year-old Oscar MacKearney from Paignton Sailing Club, who completed his first ever pursuit race—a remarkable achievement and a sign of promising talent for the future.

The Christmas Cracker Pursuit Race forms part of the Sailing Southwest Winter Series, a prestigious nine-event circuit hosted at clubs across the region. The series continues on 14th December at Castle Cove Sailing Club, where sailors will once again battle for valuable points in the winter standings.