A race that includes sailing AND running? Why the 3 Creeks not!

At the YYC, we have quite a varied racing programme. We do round the cans, passage races, offshore races to Guernsey, Trebeurden and so on, but we’ve never dallied with running in the mix! So why now? And why should you care?

Firstly a little background – the 3 Creeks Race is a weekend race that is open to teams of up to 5 who must sail (and run) from Dartmouth to the Yealm via Salcombe and the Eddystone Lighthouse, completing three runs on the way along the beautiful South Hams coastline. The winning team is the team that completes the challenge in the fastest time.

Before you stop reading at the sight of ‘run’…TEAM is the operative word. Not everyone has to run. The runs must be undertaken in pairs. Often teams have one dedicated pair of runners who complete all three runs, leaving the others to focus on the sailing aspect. Others like to share it out between them.

So why should you consider entering. Here are 7 reasons:

1/ Sailing with a casting off twist
Unlike our usual races, your ability to scoop up runners and cast off as quickly and efficiently as possible is just as important as the sailing. Every  transition time counts! That makes it fun right from the start.

2/ Smart passage planning can win or lose you the race
Will you chose to kiss Start Point or give it a wide berth? Your navigation tactics are all to play for as you race from Dartmouth to South Sands in Salcombe ready to drop your runners after the first sailing leg. Meanwhile it’s a start at 06:00 from Salcombe whether you’re ready or not and round the Eddystone Lighthouse and into the Yealm to drop your runners at Cellars for the final leg.

3/ Competition tender rowing is great sport!
Every second counts. Runners must get to shore by manpower alone. He or she who can power out a good stroke will gain vital minutes from the competition! This is assuming you have pumped up your tender without falling in round Start Point.

4/ In the absence of wind, all manual power is fair game
The rules state that in the absence of wind, all human power is acceptable… a good reason to store some long oars on deck just in case….

5/ YYC members have preferential rates
Unlike lots of expensive endurance events, the 3 Creeks Race is a steal. It costs only £70 to YYC members if you enter before March 31st and £90 thereafter. That’s way less than £20 a head.

6/ Yealm representation
We’re yet to have an all Yealm team in the two years it’s been running. So let’s make this one the first!

7/ A gorgeous free polo shirt thanks to Marchand Petit

Our local estate agent, Marchand Petit, has been good enough to sponsor the race and thanks to them we are able to offer every competitor a lovely polo shirt! And if that’s not reason enough every entrant gets a free bacon sandwich at the briefing, overnight mooring in Salcombe and plenty of banter.

The race takes place over the weekend of the 21st – 22nd May, starting in Dartmouth with the briefing at 09.00 on the Saturday morning (21st May), finishing in the Yealm on the Sunday evening with a shindig in the club.

To enter the race or find out more, visit the 3 Creeks website.