The Solo fleet dominated the first of the six races in the Ship in a Bottle regatta at Coombe Cellars on Saturday.

The first six places were filled by Solos, with Brett Murch leading the way. The best of the rest was young Dan Craft in his Laser 4.7. Teign Corinthian YC race officer Nick Whyte set the sailors a large figure of eight course, which gave the 21 competitors plenty of space both upwind and downwind.

Too much enthusiasm at the start meant a general recall. Even after restarting the race, two were disqualified. Second to finish was Ralph Weller, followed by James Stevenson. The start for race two again frustrated the race officer, who threatened to use the black flag for future races. Once away, it was the experienced crew in the Tasar who found their form and took the honours.

Malcolm and Fiona Davies have had many years Fireball sailing at world championship level, so were bound to be at the front sooner or later. Weller and Paul Craft, in his RS Vareo, who both finished in 54mins, 30secs, after the handicap adjustment, shared the runner-up slot. The breeze on Sunday came down the estuary, which meant starting near the Flow Point channel mark.

Chris Tilbrook clearly found everything to his liking and won the first race of the day in his Laser Vortex. The Taser team were second and then went on to win the next race. This put them at the top with 12 points and one hand on the trophy. Tilbrook took the runner up place in the second race to keep in contention.

The third places were filled by Chris Cunningham in a Vortex and Murch in race four. At this stage, with four results to count, it was arithmetically possible for one of several to take the Trophy. On Easter Monday, the west nor'westerly wind was even more variable in direction and strength. Weller staked his claim for the prize with a win in race five followed by Murch and then the Taser crew. After the handicap calculations, 22 seconds separated the first three places.

The final race saw Weller capsize on the final upwind leg and scupper his chances. Victory in the final race went to Tilbrook, with the Taser the runner up and Nick Whyte third in his Blaze. After discounting their two worst results, Malcolm and Fiona Davies from Paignton SC, were on six points which gave them the trophy. Second overall was Ralph Weller and third, Brett Murch. The Spring series resumes tomorrow at 1pm and Sunday at 2.30pm.